Written Replies Nos. 517 to 541
517. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the procedure involved for section 39-funded organisations seeking funding towards deficit reduction; the amount that has been paid; to which organisations moneys have been paid in the past four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34274/15]
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 he should contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
518. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the meaning of the Rosetta budgeting system within the Health Service Executive, the organisations that fall within this system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34275/15]
View answerThe Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as it is the body with responsibility for the Rosetta financial system. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office who will follow up on the matter.
519. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health the amount of capital investment in community nursing homes in County Cork in each of the past five years; the amount provided to each unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34287/15]
View answerThe Deputy's question, seeking information on the investment in Community Nursing Homes in Cork for the years 2009 - 2014 inclusive, has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as it is responsible for delivering healthcare infrastructure. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office who will follow up on the matter.
520. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for a cataract operation in South Infirmary Hospital in County Cork for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34288/15]
View answerUnder 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 the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
521. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on the finding by a member of the public of documents on the public pathway outside Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda in County Louth which contained very sensitive personal hospital records of patients; the reason this occurred; the steps he will take to ensure it is not repeated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34293/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
522. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health his views that on the case of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; on the management of this case by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34306/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. 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.
523. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment date for the Athy child and adolescent mental health service. [34324/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
524. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.456 of 29 September 2015, if he will provide details of the two investigations and reports; and the implementation measures being undertaken. [34325/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
525. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will receive another appointment for surgery following a number of cancellations; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34341/15]
View answerUnder 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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
526. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when an application for a home care package was received for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; the present status of the application; if funding is available to sanction new home care packages in Cork city and county; the way the application has been assessed since it was received; when he expects a decision to be made on it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34367/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. 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.
527. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for a cataract operation at Cork University Hospital for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34368/15]
View answerUnder 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 the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
528. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the 12-month waiting list for speech, language and occupational therapy services in Dublin south west; his views on whether this situation is likely to improve at an early date, specifically for a child (details supplied) who has been diagnosed with autism; the measures the Health Service Executive is implementing to reduce waiting times given that early intervention is key for all children with such difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34371/15]
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 HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter.
529. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding health care assistants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34372/15]
View answerSection 22 of the Health Act 2004 gives the HSE the authority to appoint persons to be its employees and may determine their duties. Under Section 22 of the Act, the HSE has responsibility for setting and approving eligibility criteria, including qualifications and relevant experience, for appointments to HSE posts. This includes recruitment to health care assistant posts.
The role of the Health Care Assistant is to support nursing staff in the delivery of care to the patients under the supervision of the Clinical Nurse Manager and Nurses/Midwives.
As Health Care Assistants work under the direct supervision of nurses/midwives, it is considered that any issues arising would be more appropriately addressed by the employer.
There are no further plans at this stage to regulate health care assistants.
530. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a cataract operation at Cork University Hospital for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34373/15]
View answerUnder 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 the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
531. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for a cataract operation at Cork University Hospital for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34378/15]
View answer534. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34425/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 531 and 534 together.
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 the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
532. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on an application under the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34407/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. 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 on the matter.
533. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the examination of an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare following submission of additional information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34412/15]
View answerThe 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 he should contact my Private Office who will follow up on the matter.
535. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 559 of 16 July 2015, the position regarding an application for dental braces by a child (details supplied) in Dublin 1, given the recommendation by the orthodontist that the braces be fitted before the age of 14. [34429/15]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If she has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days she should contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter.
536. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the changes applied to medical card holders for prescription items discriminates against single persons; that the cap of €25 per month applied to families should be reduced for single persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34431/15]
View answerAt present, medical card holders are required to pay a prescription charge of €2.50 per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €25 per month for each person or family. The extension of the cap to individuals' families is intended to alleviate the financial burden for families in which more than one person is required to take a prescription medicine.
The General Medical Services (medical card) scheme takes account of the different financial challenges facing single persons when setting the income limits for medical card eligibility.
537. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if funding will be maintained for an organisation (details supplied), given the importance of its work in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34438/15]
View answerWork is currently underway in the Department of Health in relation to the preparation of budget estimates for 2016. As part of this process, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has submitted an estimate of its proposed expenditure for 2016, including health and personal social services for people with a disability. As discussions on budgetary issues are ongoing between the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, I am not in a position to comment on the outcome of the process at this stage.
538. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason for the cuts to respite services for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34439/15]
View answerThe vision for the Health Service Executive's (HSE) 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.
Respite care for children and adults with disabilities is provided by the HSE directly in some instances, or by agencies funded by the HSE to provide services on its behalf. In many instances respite services are part of the overall suite of services provided by voluntary service providers to people with disabilities under their service level agreements with the HSE. The HSE remains committed to working with all voluntary disability service providers to ensure that all of the resources available for specialist disability services, including respite services, are used in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
The HSE’s Social Care Operational Plan for 2015 aims to provide 190,000 overnight stays in centre-based respite services to almost 5,300 people. The HSE is also committed to continuing to explore methods of community respite care as an alternative to centre-based respite care, including advancing the Host Family Support Model.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. 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 up the matter with the HSE.
539. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the situation regarding the Health Service Executive's position on the drug Fampyra (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34474/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has confirmed that Fampridine (brand name Fampyra®) is being reimbursed under the Long Term Illness Scheme from 1st October 2015.
Reimbursement will be extended where a demonstration of clinical response (based on objective criteria agreed with clinical experts) is recorded and where that clinical response is shown to persist, based on objective measurement at six-month intervals.
541. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive national lottery grants scheme will re-open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34478/15]
View answerThe Deputy's question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as it is the statutory body with responsibility for delivering the Health Service Executive National Lottery Scheme. If she has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days she should contact my Private Office who will follow up on the matter.
