Written Answers Nos. 145-155
145. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health to provide County Kerry with two additional ambulances, as the county is currently critically under-serviced in regards to ambulance cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8835/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If the Deputy 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.
146. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8836/16]
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 recently 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 which will follow up the matter with the HSE.
147. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore in County Offaly. [8838/16]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy 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.
148. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin in County Dublin [8839/16]
View answerAs the specific issues raised are a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy 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.
149. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons under 18 years of age being treated in adult mental health facilities, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8864/16]
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 it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
150. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of elective surgeries that have been cancelled in Beaumont Hospital in County Dublin since 1 January 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8868/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy 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.
151. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health posts that were filled in 2015 and in 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8869/16]
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 it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
152. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health when the new Corduff health care centre will open in County Dublin; the number of persons who will be employed there; how persons can apply for these jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8874/16]
View answer163. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the status of the opening of the primary care centre in Corduff in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8961/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 163 together.
The HSE has responsibility for the provision and operation of Primary Care Centres. Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my private office and it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
153. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a first appointment with a psychologist, following referral, for one month, two, three, three-plus-to-six, six-plus-to-nine, nine-plus-to-12, and 12-plus months, by local health area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8878/16]
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 it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
154. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health when construction will commence on the new health centre in Ballymote in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8901/16]
View answerThe Ballymote Primary Care Centre project is one of 14 to be delivered as a single PPP project. Following a detailed tender evaluation process the National Development Finance Agency announced the Prime-Balfour Beatty consortium as the preferred tenderer in May 2015. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2016 and it is expected that the primary care centres will be delivered in 2017. In the meantime work is continuing on the financial and legal provisions of the project contract.
155. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of cataract operations performed at the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in County Cork in 2015 on patients from County Kerry and from County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8904/16]
View answerIn relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If the Deputy 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.
