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Thursday, 16 Jul 2015

Written Answers Nos. 446-464

Drug Treatment Programmes

Questions (446)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

446. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the issue of the diversion of methadone provided under the methadone maintenance programme to the illicit drugs trade; if his Department has tracked or analysed the extent of the problem; if he will provide an estimate of the cost foregone to the Exchequer as a result of this diversion; the measures his Department have implemented to tackle this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29843/15]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Abortion Legislation

Questions (447, 448)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

447. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health his views on the latest Amnesty International poll on abortion rights here, according to which 67% of the population believe that it should be decriminalised (details supplied). [30297/15]

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Ruth Coppinger

Question:

448. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the findings of the poll by Amnesty International on abortion rights here, according to which 67% of the population believe that it should be decriminalised (details supplied). [30298/15]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 448 together.

As the Deputy is aware, Article 40.3.3 of the Irish Constitution states that:

The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.

The Government does not intend to propose any amendments to Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution at present.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Questions (449)

Brian Stanley

Question:

449. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a diabetes podiatry post, which was sanctioned for Tullamore Hospital, County Offaly in the 2015 Health Service Executive service plan, will be filled and the reason for the delay. [29571/15]

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Written answers

As 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.

Health Services Data

Questions (450)

Denis Naughten

Question:

450. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of investigations that have been carried out using the Health Service Executive guidelines for systems analysis investigation of incidents and complaints since they were first published in November 2012; the number of disciplinary actions that have been initiated following such investigations; the number of any such disciplinary actions that have been completed; are ongoing; or are pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29573/15]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

If no reply has been received from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the Executive.

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Questions (451)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

451. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the current status of the pancreas transplantation programme at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9; his plans to ensure that the programme recommences; the efforts being made to recruit a transplant surgeon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29574/15]

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Written answers

The consultant who undertook pancreas transplants at Beaumont Hospital retired at the end of 2014. Beaumont Hospital is making every effort to fill vacancies on its renal transplant programme. Given the limited number of surgeons who specialise in transplantation, the filling of any vacancy poses a challenge.

It is proposed that pancreas transplants, of which 6 were performed in 2014, will move to St Vincent’s University Hospital. As St Vincent’s is already established as the National Liver Transplant Centre, and is a designated centre for pancreas cancer services, it is well placed to undertake pancreas transplants. Most pancreas transplants are combined with a kidney transplant. The arrangements being put in place for such cases will involve transplant surgeons from St Vincent’s University Hospital and Beaumont Hospital working together on the St Vincent’s campus.

A joint assessment clinic for patients who are waiting for a pancreas/kidney transplant, involving consultants and nurses from both Beaumont and St. Vincent's, will be held on 24 July. Every effort is being made to have all the necessary arrangements and protocols in place to facilitate St. Vincent's being in a position to undertake pancreas transplants from mid-September, should a suitable donor/recipient match occur.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (452)

Catherine Byrne

Question:

452. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated from his Department for home help provision in Dublin 8, 10 and 12; the services that provide this service in the community; the number of staff being paid through each of these services; the number of clients receiving this service in the community; the number of persons waiting for home help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29575/15]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service 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.

Home Help Service

Questions (453)

Catherine Byrne

Question:

453. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health the qualifications required to be employed as a home help by the Health Service Executive or its funded services; if training is provided to home help staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29576/15]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service 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.

Departmental Strategies

Questions (454)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

454. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his Department's priorities for the remainder of this Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29587/15]

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Written answers

As the Deputy should be aware I said on my appointment that, for the remainder of this Government’s term of Office I would concentrate on achieving a small number of realistic goals while laying the ground work for further Health reform. I will continue to do just that for the remainder of the year. At that stage, my first priority was to secure realistic budget, which was achieved.

In January, with Minister Lynch, I published my priorities for 2015. The Department has also published a more detailed list of priorities covering the period 2015-2017 and they are all available to view on the Department's website.

I intend to review progress on the 2015 priorities at the end of the year and publish priorities for 2016 in the New Year.

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Questions (455)

Michael McGrath

Question:

455. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will address a query regarding the treatment abroad scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29603/15]

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Written answers

The 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.

Hospitals Funding

Questions (456)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

456. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health given the recommendation of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association to substantially increase funding for the acute hospital budget for 2016 in its pre-budget submission, his plans to implement this much needed proposal to the degree required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29613/15]

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Written answers

The level of funding provided in respect of Acute Hospital services will need to be considered as part of the 2016 estimates process which is now underway. In the context of overall competing demands for health service funding, and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this stage.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (457)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

457. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an operation at Cork University Hospital for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29616/15]

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Written answers

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as 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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (458)

Robert Troy

Question:

458. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application for a person (details supplied). [29634/15]

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Written answers

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (459)

Robert Troy

Question:

459. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application for a person (details supplied). [29635/15]

View answer

Written answers

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (460)

Robert Troy

Question:

460. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application for a person (details supplied). [29636/15]

View answer

Written answers

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (461)

Robert Troy

Question:

461. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application for a person (details supplied). [29637/15]

View answer

Written answers

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (462)

Robert Troy

Question:

462. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application for a person (details supplied). [29638/15]

View answer

Written answers

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (463)

Robert Troy

Question:

463. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application for a person (details supplied). [29639/15]

View answer

Written answers

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (464)

Robert Troy

Question:

464. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application for a person (details supplied). [29640/15]

View answer

Written answers

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.

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.

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