Thursday, 21 Jul 2016

Written Answers Nos. 561-581

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (561)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

561. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23730/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 HSE, 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 you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (562)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

562. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23733/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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 HSE, 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 you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (563)

Clare Daly

Question:

563. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the fact that persons diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, who have months to live, have to wait three to four weeks to access chemotherapy in Mercy University Hospital, Cork. [23735/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have been advised by the HSE that there is no delay in access to treatment for persons diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in Mercy University Hospital.

The National Cancer Control Programme is satisfied with the arrangements for access to chemotherapy for patients with pancreatic cancer in this hospital.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Questions (564)

Clare Daly

Question:

564. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a screening programme for pancreatic cancer for the over 40s as a preventative public health measure. [23736/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Population-based screening programmes are an important element of early detection for cancer and have been introduced for cancers in Ireland where international evidence supports this approach. At present, available evidence has given rise to population-based screening programmes being recommended for bowel, breast and cervical cancer and such programmes have all been introduced here.

However, there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend the introduction of a population-based pancreatic cancer screening programme. My Department and the HSE will continue to monitor international research in this regard.

Foster Care

Questions (565)

Clare Daly

Question:

565. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a commission of investigation into the "Grace" foster home scandal; and if a previous undertaking that Dáil Éireann would be given an opportunity to debate the terms of reference of the commission will be honoured [23737/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I wish to assure the House that I am fully committed to the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into this matter. I am very concerned about the issues which have been raised in this case and cannot stress highly enough that the safety and protection of all vulnerable people in the care of the State is paramount. The previous Government's approval to the establishment of a Commission of Investigation, was given in principle, subject to a further decision to be made by the Government on detailed terms of reference, timelines and costs which will be informed by the work currently being undertaken by Mr Conor Dignam Senior Counsel into related matters. In accordance with the provisions of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, the Terms of Reference will then require the approval of the Oireachtas.

Following the decision by Government concerning the establishment of a Commission, additional resources were allocated to Mr. Dignam and he was also asked to identify matters which would assist in framing the Terms of Reference for the Commission.

Mr. Dignam has informed me that he is close to finalising his report, which is expected very shortly.

Community Care

Questions (566)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

566. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the shortfall in funding and staffing levels at a local community health body (details supplied); his plans to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23756/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

With effect from 1 January 2014, operational and financial responsibility for the Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme was transferred to the HSE. In the circumstances, I have referred this matter to the HSE for direct reply.

If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (567)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

567. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide for each hospital (details supplied) the number of new nursing staff recruited in the hospital in the year to July 2016; the number of nursing staff that left the hospital in the year to July 2016; the total number of nursing staff in the hospital in July 2016; and the net increase and-or decrease in nursing staff in each hospital in the year to July 2016, in tabular form. [23758/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Questions (568)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

568. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses newly recruited to date in 2016 in the public and voluntary hospitals; the full year cost of their recruitment; and the net increase in nursing numbers resulting from this recruitment. [23759/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Speech and Language Therapy

Questions (569)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

569. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists newly recruited to date in 2016; the sectors of the health service under which they have been recruited such as primary care, acute or disability services; the full year cost of their recruitment; and the net increase in speech and language therapists numbers resulting from this recruitment. [23760/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Occupational Therapy

Questions (570)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

570. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists newly recruited in 2016; the sectors of the health service under which they have been recruited such as primary care, acute or disability services; the full year cost of their recruitment; and the net increase in occupational therapists numbers resulting from this recruitment. [23761/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Questions (571)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

571. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of physiotherapists newly recruited in 2016; the sectors of the health service under which they have been recruited such as primary care, acute or disability services; the full year cost of their recruitment; and the net increase in physiotherapists numbers resulting from this recruitment. [23762/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Questions (572)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

572. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide for each community health care organisation the number of speech and language therapists currently employed in each; and the equivalent figures for the same date in 2014 and 2015, in tabular form. [23763/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Occupational Therapy

Questions (573)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

573. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide for each community health care organisation the number of occupational therapists currently employed in each; and the equivalent figures for the same date in 2014 and 2014, in tabular form. [23764/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Questions (574)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

574. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide for each community health care organisation the number of physiotherapists currently employed in each; and the equivalent figures for the same date in 2014 and 2015, in tabular form. [23765/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Community Care

Questions (575)

Seán Fleming

Question:

575. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the role of a public health nurse in a local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23794/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (576)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

576. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the outpatient waiting list for surgical procedures at Mayo University Hospital; the length of time they have been waiting in tabular form; and the number of persons waiting zero to three months, three months to 12 months, 12 to 24 months and longer than 24 months. [23799/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Questions (577)

Lisa Chambers

Question:

577. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of managerial posts that have to be filled at Mayo University Hospital; and the posts that are currently vacant. [23800/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (578)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

578. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of approved consultant posts currently in each public and voluntary hospital, in tabular form; and the equivalent figures for the same date in 2014 and 2015. [23801/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (579)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

579. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of approved senior house officer posts currently in each public and voluntary hospital in tabular form; and the equivalent figures for the same date in 2014 and 2015. [23802/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (580)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

580. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of approved registrar posts currently in each public and voluntary hospital in tabular form; and the equivalent figures for the same date in 2014 and 2015. [23803/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (581)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

581. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of approved senior registrar posts currently in each public and voluntary hospital in tabular form; and the equivalent figures for the same date in 2014 and 2015. [23804/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I 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.