Jack Wall
Question:132. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health his views on a submission (details supplied); if he will reply to the requests in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3289/16]
View answerDepartmental Staff Retirements
Questions (132)
Written answers
There were no such cases made against the Department. I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up on the matter with them. In relation to Non-Commercial State Agencies under the remit of my Department, this information is being sought and will be forwarded to the Deputy when collated.
Health Services Allowances
Questions (133)
Robert Troy
Question:133. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to expedite an application for a person (details supplied) in County Longford. [3301/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If the Deputy 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.
Hospital Beds Data
Questions (134)
Billy Kelleher
Question:134. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the average number of acute hospital beds available in public hospitals for each of the years 2008 to 2015 by public, private and non-designated hospitals in tabular form. [3303/16]
View answerWritten answers
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 please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (135)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3305/16]
View answerWritten 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 the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter.
Dental Services Provision
Questions (136, 149, 151)
Tom Fleming
Question:136. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expand on a very limited service whereby a child who has a painful tooth is only examined in respect of that tooth, while the remainder of the teeth and the gums are not inspected and remedied as required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3313/16]
View answerTom Fleming
Question:149. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will extend dental services to children in the 14 to 16 years age group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3382/16]
View answerTom Fleming
Question:151. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will re-introduce the procedure of fissure sealants for children which formally was applied before the end of second class but in latter years is only applied in sixth class which is excessively late; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3385/16]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 149 and 151 together.
Dental services for children up to 16 years of age and persons of all ages with special needs are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE through its dental clinics. The budget for the Public Dental Service is approximately €60 million per year. The HSE prioritises services within the available budget taking account of legislation, policy and key developmental stages for children's teeth. Additional resources have been released in 2015 and into 2016 to improve dental services in areas where there have been difficulties.
Emergency care for the treatment of pain, sepsis and/or trauma for children up to 16 years of age and for special needs patients is provided. Patients attending for emergency dental visits will normally have only the specific offending condition treated at that time. Relevant secondary care referrals are also made. However, regardless of the presenting complaint clinicians are obliged to advise parents/guardians if other oral health problems exist and to pass on accurate clinical information so that the parent/guardian and/or patient can manage their personal dental health needs. This is in accordance with the requirements of the Dental Council.
A targeted fissure sealant programme is provided for children aged 6 to 8 and 11 to 13 (usually 2nd and 6th class). These are the optimum ages for the application of fissure sealants. In addition, a screening programme is provided for these age groups with necessary interventions for permanent teeth including fillings and extractions. Referrals for orthodontic or other treatments as required are also made at this time.
The provision of dental services for 2nd class and 6th class is monitored by the HSE using performance indicators collated on a monthly basis. This enables the HSE to target any additional resources appropriately. However, this information is not being returned in some areas on foot of a Union direction.
The HSE is commencing a pilot scheme in Community Health Organisation Area 4 to assess the dental health of 0-3 year old children and consider appropriate preventive intervention.
A National Oral Health Policy is currently being developed which will update the Dental Action Plan 1994 with a particular focus on vulnerable groups including very young children.
Health Services Staff
Questions (137)
Timmy Dooley
Question:137. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if there is an audiologist for the adult clinic in the county clinic in Ennis, County Clare; when did the audiologist take leave; when will the audiologist return or be replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3317/16]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If he has 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.