Written Answers Nos. 206-215
206. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the provision of full-time rheumatology services in Mayo University Hospital; when this issue will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29074/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
207. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29075/16]
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 you directly.
208. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the prescription charges for cancer patients and the inpatient charge of €75 should be abolished (details supplied). [29077/16]
View answerThe Programme for Partnership Government includes a commitment to reduce the cost of medicines by reducing the annual required co-payment on the Drugs Payment Scheme and reducing prescription charges for medical card holders.
Any proposals to amend the DPS co-payment, the medical card prescription charge or the hospital in-patient charge would have to be considered during the Budget negotiations which are currently underway, having regard to the funding available for such measures.
209. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of all non-management nursing positions in each hospital here over the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29078/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
210. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of all vacant nursing positions in each hospital here over the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29079/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
211. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the call for immediate action to direct a comprehensive revision of the proposed plan for neuro-rehabilitation services by his Department and the Health Services Executive, which is required to ensure adequate funding and co-ordination of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29080/16]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government places a particular focus on a number of key programmes and strategies, including publishing a plan for advancing Neuro-rehabilitation services in the community. Currently a steering group led by the Health Service Executive Social Care Division has drafted an implementation framework for the National Policy & Strategy for Neuro-rehabilitation Services, which will guide and oversee the development of Neuro-rehabilitation structures and services at national and local level.
Alongside these developments, the Government announced a major development of the National Rehabilitation Hospital which will deliver a purpose built hospital on the site with 120 beds and include support therapies, paediatric and acquired brain injury wards, a hydrotherapy unity and a sports hall.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
212. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of positions filled by participants on community employment schemes, Gateway schemes and Tús schemes within his Department by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29084/16]
View answerThe staff of my Department are recruited through the Public Appointments Service with a small number of staff seconded from the Health Service Executive and other health related agencies. Accordingly none of the positions in the Department are filled from participants on community employment schemes, Gateway schemes or Tús schemes.
213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29091/16]
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 was issued to Oireachtas members.
214. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for an organisation (details supplied). [29098/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, a Steering Committee, with an independent chair, has been established to advise me on a new National Drugs Strategy, which will take effect in 2017, when the current policy expires.
The provision of resources to support the implementation of the new Strategy, including detoxification services for young people and adolescents, will be determined in the context of the estimates process.
I understand from the Health Service Executive that the addiction services in Community Health Organisation 5 is currently working with Aiséirí to review the model of services provided in Aislinn.
215. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint two additional full time consultant neurologists with a special interest in migraine at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9. [29101/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
