Written Answers Nos. 134-44
134. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health if he will review the amount of places available on the sponsorship scheme for public servants who wish to train as nurses and midwives, which currently stand at ten places nationwide, with a view to restoring the amount of places to the 2007 levels of 54 places nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30033/16]
View answerI understand that the HSE has recently been in correspondence with you regarding this issue. The position remains that consideration will be given by the HSE to increasing the number of places available on the sponsorship scheme should resources become available.
135. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if the consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist position that has been filled in respect of County Laois on a temporary capacity covers both counties Laois and Offaly or if it is specific to County Laois; when this person will be able to work with the early intervention team and the school age team; his plans to fill the vacant psychologists posts; the timeline for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30035/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
136. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Health if it is illegal for general practitioners to charge medical card holders a €15 fee for blood tests as is the situation with a practice (details supplied); if such persons who have been charged for this service are entitled to a refund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30042/16]
View answerPersons covered by the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme should not be charged for routine phlebotomy services provided by their GP, or the Practice Nurse on behalf of the GP, which are required to either assist in the diagnosis of illness or the treatment of a condition. The HSE has addressed this issue and advised GPs, that where the service forms part of the investigation or necessary treatment of a patient’s symptoms or conditions, it should be provided free of charge for patients who hold a medical card or GP visit card.
If a patient who holds a medical card or GP visit card believes he/she has been incorrectly charged for routine phlebotomy services by his/her GP, then that patient may wish to make a complaint to the HSE Local Health Office who will deal with the matter in accordance with the HSE’s Complaints Policy. Contact details for all Local Health Offices can be found on the HSE’s website.
137. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a placement for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30044/16]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
138. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a reply to correspondence. [30047/16]
View answerMy officials have advised that a response to the Deputy's representation regarding his constituent will issue by the end of this week.
139. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) who awaits surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30049/16]
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 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.
140. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Louise O'Reilly den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil sé sásta go bhfuil soláthar sásúil á chur ar fáil do phobail na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta i gceantair Ghaeltachta nó in ospidéil atá gar do phobail Ghaeltachta agus a fhreastalaíonn ar na pobail sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [30052/16]
View answerDe bharr gur ábhar seirbhíse atá i gceist, d'iarr mé ar Fheidhmeannacht na Seirbhísí Sláinte (FSS) freagra a thabhairt duit go díreach. Mura bhfuil freagra faighte agat ón FSS laistigh de 15 lá oibre, téigh i dteagmháil le m'Oifig Príobháideach agus beidh mo chuid oifigigh a leanúint suas leis an t-ábhar.
141. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the expected duration of the disciplinary action that is being delivered to a person (details supplied). [30060/16]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
142. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Sláinte cad é an líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge agus atá ag obair ina Roinn. [30074/16]
View answer143. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil sprioc leagtha amach maidir le líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge a bheith ag obair sa Roinn de réir reachtaíochta agus an bhfuil an sprioc sin bainte amach go fóill. [30089/16]
View answer144. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil beartas earcaíochta faoi leith i bhfeidhm chun aon chuóta maidir le líon daoine a bhfuil cumas feidhmeach acu sa Ghaeilge, má tá a leithéid ann, a bhaint amach. [30104/16]
View answerMolaim Ceisteanna Uimh. 142 go 144, cuimsitheach, a fhreagairt le chéile.
Tá rún daingean ag mo Roinn a chinntiú gur féidir freastal a mhéad is féidir ar chustaiméirí ar mian leo a gcuid gnó a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge. Ba é 395 duine an líon iomlán daoine a bhí ag obair sa Roinn ag deireadh mhí Mheán Fómhair 2016. Den líon sin, tá seachtar ball foirne, nó beagnach 2%, in ann a gcuid dualgas a chur i gcrích sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla araon. Tugtar freagra sa Ghaeilge ar an gcomhfhreagras ar fad a sheoltar don Roinn sa Ghaeilge agus cuirtear aon cheisteanna teileafóin ar aghaidh chuig duine de na baill foirne atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge.
Ní chuirtear aon cheanglas sa reachtaíocht ar an Roinn sprioc a leagan síos maidir leis an líon ball foirne ar cheart dóibh bheith in ann feidhmiú trí mheán na Gaeilge. Mar sin féin, luaitear sa Scéim Teanga 2015-2018 ón Roinn Sláinte go sainaithneoidh an Roinn aon phoist dá bhfuil inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge ina riachtanas. Shainaithin an Roinn aon phost den sórt sin agus ceapadh ball foirne chuig an ról sin ina dhiaidh sin.
Is é beartas na Roinne leibhéal agus cáilíocht reatha na seirbhíse trí mheán na Gaeilge a choinneáil ar bun.
