Written Answers Nos. 176-181
176. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health his views on the lack of occupational therapists and early intervention teams in County Cork (details supplied); his plans to recruit more staff to assist families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16306/16]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, 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 can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
177. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a person (details supplied) who is attending private physiotherapy in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16356/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have 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.
178. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the status of the piloting of an information technology programme through Ability West in County Galway. [16357/16]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
179. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the extensive recruitment plans he is putting in place to ensure the immediate employment of theatre staff at University College Hospital Galway, given that the hospital is finding it difficult to recruit theatre staff. [16358/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If you have 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.
180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when he will approve an application by a person (details supplied) under the home care package; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16330/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have 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.
181. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health further to previous parliamentary questions (details supplied), why staff in Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar in County Westmeath, whom the Health Service Executive employs under different panels, receive different pay increments despite having identical practical experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16334/16]
View answerAs the Deputy has noted in a response to a similar PQ asked on 9 June 2016, the Public Service Agreement (PSA) 2013 to 2016 provided for the introduction of an Intern Scheme for Health Support Staff during the moratorium on recruitment and promotion within the public service as an exceptional recruitment measure. Under the terms of this Scheme, Interns were given a 2 year contract with a starting salary of 85% of the first point of Band 3 salary in year 1, progressing to 90% of same in year 2.
As the Deputy is aware, later discussions during the Lansdowne Road Agreement provided that where Interns had completed 18 months of satisfactory service, they would be regularised into permanent positions. HSE HR Circular 025/2015 on the Intern Scheme advised Hospital Groups that support grades should not be recruited to positions in services where there are existing Interns in situ unless those positions have been made available to those interns in the first instance.
