Written Answers Nos. 202-210
202. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for initial assessment for and access to ongoing counselling in the national counselling service for adult survivors of childhood abuse nationally and in counties Louth and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12407/16]
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.
203. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health why the Health Service Executive is implementing a nursing embargo against the backdrop of a critical shortage of nurses; his actions to ensure this embargo is lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12411/16]
View answerThere is no recruitment embargo in place in the HSE. Arising from Budget 2015, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced an easing of restrictions on the employment of additional staff. Submission of a Pay and Numbers Strategy, outlining planned staffing levels and pay/pensions expenditure was required to obtain sanction for the lifting of the moratorium and Employment Control Framework arrangements.
The HSE are currently working with my Department on the preparation of their 2016 Pay and Numbers Strategy. This has involved the development of ‘bottom up’ workforce plans at hospital and community service level. While these plans are being developed, interim recruitment measures have been put in place by the HSE, which require that pay budgets are complied with.
These measures do not impact on a hospital’s ability to recruit where funding exists to facilitate that recruitment; for example in the case of replacement posts or where funding has been allocated for particular roles under the HSE service plan. Recruitment can also take place in areas of critical care and emergency services.
There is a real focus by the HSE on recruitment and retention of nurses and midwives. It is recognised that recruitment and retention of both must be prioritised to support service delivery.
The HSE has continuously increased staffing levels since the beginning of 2015. During the 15 month period from January 2015 to March 2016, nursing figures rose by over 1700 WTEs or 5%.
The government's intention is to grow the health budget as the economy improves, to improve working conditions for front line staff and deliver the level of service that we all want to see provided to patients.
204. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the child psychiatric services available for children addicted to drugs in County Kildare. [12416/16]
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.
205. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department spent on grant aid to the meals-on-wheels project in 2015 and the projected amount for 2016 by county. [12419/16]
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 within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office and it will follow up the matter with the HSE.
206. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the counselling service in the primary care service, including the numbers referred to, seen by and on waiting lists for community health care organisations in 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12427/16]
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.
207. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of posts targeted, filled and still in the recruitment process by year using the extra funding of €35 million originally committed to in the 2011 to 2016 programme for Government for the enhancement of community-based mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12428/16]
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.
208. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a first appointment with a psychologist, following referral, for one month or two, three, three plus to six, six plus to nine, nine plus to 12 and 12 plus months, by Health Service Executive area in tabular form. [12429/16]
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.
209. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for a first appointment with a psychiatrist, following referral, for one month or two, three, three plus to six, six plus to nine, nine plus to 12 and 12 plus months, by Health Service Executive administrative area in tabular form. [12430/16]
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.
210. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the budgeted and actual spending, by mental health administrative area from 2012 to 2015, inclusive, and 2016 to date in tabular form. [12431/16]
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.
