Written Answers Nos. 684-696
684. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health his plans to merge the Child Health Care Services in County Galway; if so, the reasons for same; the consultation that has taken place with all stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29127/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Services Executive for direct reply. 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.
686. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health in view of the exponential increase in pregnant homeless women being referred to the Life Pregnancy Care Services, in 2013 and 2014, the provisions made to alleviate this organisation’s crisis, given the fact that it provides a unique service for women who find themselves homeless and pregnant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29130/15]
View answerThe HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme has a contractual commitment with Life Pregnancy Care Limited to provide Crisis Pregnancy and Post Termination Counselling for women, their partners and/or family members who are or have experienced a crisis pregnancy. In addition, Parenting support and Outreach are provided. A total grant allocation per annum of €476,908.20 is given to Life Pregnancy Care to provide such services in Dublin, Cork and Tipperary.
The HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme does not fund emergency accommodation for people with a crisis pregnancy. Funding is currently channelled to this sector from a range of sources including HSE Social Inclusion, Homeless Agency and City Councils.
Dublin City Council paid Life Pregnancy Care Services €42,665 in 2014 under Section 10 of the Protocol Report. This funding covers accommodation for pregnant women and new mothers.
688. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which pioneering procedures in the context of the treatment of Parkinson's disease can be facilitated and promoted jointly on a North-South basis having regard to research and practical experience conducted by a person (details supplied); if he will consider the extent to which North-South Co-operation can be developed in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29149/15]
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.
689. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for medical treatment in the United States of America for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [29151/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
690. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the total annual cost of inhalers for the treatment of asthma to the medicine budget; the corresponding figure for anti-depressant medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29161/15]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you.
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.
691. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding provided this year for services for persons with disabilities, particularly school leavers and young adults, serviced through Saint Michael’s House which is informing parents of its inability to cater for these young adults, due to lack of funding, facilities, and staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29169/15]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, 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, please contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
692. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans for Saint Peter’s Hospital in Castlepollard in County Westmeath. [29178/15]
View answerI presume the Deputy is referring to St Peter's residential service for people with a disability operated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Castlepollard Co Westmeath. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the 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.
693. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the way Mullingar in County Westmeath, will benefit from its inclusion in the new hospital groupings within the Dublin Mid Leinster region. [29179/15]
View answerThe Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar (MRMH) is part of the Ireland East Hospital Group. The other hospitals in this Group are Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; St Vincent's University Hospital; St Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny; Wexford General Hospital; National Maternity Hospital; Our Lady's Hospital, Navan; St Columcille's Hospital; St Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire; Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital; Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital. (Academic Partner: UCD).
The initial focus is on getting the hospital group up and running as a single cohesive entity. The hospital group will be required to develop a strategic plan to describe how they will provide more efficient and effective patient services; reorganise these services to provide optimal care to the population they serve; and how they will achieve maximum integration with other groups and all other health services, particularly primary care and community care services.
The formation of the Ireland East Hospital Group, with its own governance and management, will provide the optimum configuration for Mullingar hospital to deliver patient care in a cost effective manner. It will allow for hospitals such as Mullingar to be supported within the Hospital Group in terms of education and training, continuous professional development, the sustainable recruitment of high quality clinical staff and the safe management of deteriorating and complex patients. The Group includes a primary academic partner which will stimulate a culture of learning and openness to change within the hospital group. There will be a structured integration of Mullingar Hospital into the Ireland East Group in 2015 which will provide further support for the hospital in delivering high-quality safe patient care.
694. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the plans and proposals that exist for the old section of Saint Loman’s Hospital Campus in Mullingar in County Westmeath. [29180/15]
View answerThe St Loman's campus contains six separate building blocks which are occupied as follows:
- The acute mental health admissions and rehabilitation building;
- The TUSLA operated child and family centre building;
- The Intellectual Disabilities operated Springfield Centre building;
- The primary care building occupied by the Community Healthcare Organisation support services;
- Currently the St Brigid's Centre building is being upgraded and will accommodate the Community Healthcare Organisation support services when completed;
- St Loman's - the original stone faced building - part of which is occupied by the mental health services. The remainder of this building is vacant and its future use is under review.
695. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for speech and language services in Counties Westmeath and Longford; and if he will provide details of geographical locations, and of the length of time persons are waiting. [29181/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been 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.
696. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding for the mental health services in Counties Westmeath and Longford for 2015, as well as the details and percentages of where the funding is to be allocated. [29182/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
