Written Answers Nos. 150-155
150. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will reopen the dental clinics in Caherciveen, Daingean Uí Chúis and Listowel and extend the Killorglin part-time clinic to a full-time clinic as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3383/16]
View answerAs 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.
152. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health why dental hygienists cannot practise on their own but only as part of a dental practice, given that dental hygiene is a separate profession. [3407/16]
View answerSection 53 of the Dentists Act 1985 provides that the Dental Council, with the consent of the Minister, may make schemes establishing classes of auxiliary dental workers. Such schemes shall provide for registration of the class of worker, determine the training and qualifications necessary and the nature of the dental work and the conditions under which such work may be undertaken. Dental hygienists are among the auxiliary dental workers for whom a scheme has been made.
Section 54 of the Act provides that dental work carried out by an auxiliary dental worker in accordance with a scheme shall be carried out under the supervision of a registered dentist and only after the registered dentist has examined the patient and indicated to the auxiliary dental worker the course of treatment to be provided. The only exception to this allows clinical dental technicians to fit, insert or fix artificial teeth for persons of 18 years or over, provided it does not include work on natural teeth or living tissue.
The Department of Health has begun the preparation of new dental legislation and the issue of independent practice will be considered in that context.
153. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for surgery in Cappagh hospital in Finglas, Dublin 11, for a person (details supplied). [3414/16]
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 please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow up the matter.
154. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of a case, including when the person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive an appointment in the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, County Offaly. [3416/16]
View answerAs 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.
155. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of a case, including when the person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive therapy through Health Service Executive in the midlands. [3417/16]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this 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 please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
