Written Answers Nos. 600 to 614
600. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the detail of the targeting methods being utilised and the timeframe envisaged in order to meet the required staffing levels to ensure the new emergency department in University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, is open by or prior to May 2017. [35012/16]
View answer601. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the timeline of hiring the additional staff needed for the new emergency department at the University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle. [35013/16]
View answer602. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of successful posts that have been awarded, and that are yet to be filled, and if the recruitment process is on track for completion in order that the new emergency department in University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, can open by or prior to May 2017, as previously announced. [35014/16]
View answer603. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if there is a plan or schedule in place for training current staff for the transition to the new emergency department in University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle; and if it will be ensured that everyday operations do not interfere with this timeline to open the new emergency department in the hospital. [35015/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 600 to 603, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
604. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided for the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in order that transcatheter aortic valve implant, TAVI, can be provided for public patients, especially since the TAVI procedure has proven to be a successful method of replacing heart valves by threading through the blood vessels in a non-invasive alternative to open heart surgery. [35114/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
605. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare who has had two appointments for a biopsy cancelled, will have the procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35116/16]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
606. 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. [35121/16]
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.
607. 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. [35125/16]
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.
608. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health if the appropriate resources have been made available by his Department to University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, to ensure the new emergency department will be open by or prior to May 2017 or if additional resources will be needed during this transition. [35128/16]
View answerIncreased funding will be made available to the University of Limerick Hospitals Group in 2017, to facilitate the opening of the new Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick. The HSE National Service Plan 2017, which will be finalised shortly, will set out the detail of the additional funding.
609. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the situation regarding persons with a medical card who have to pay €25 per month; if this covers a 28 day period or a full calendar month in view of the fact that most months have 30 or 31 days; if the €25 only covers the 28 day period, if it effectively means there is a minimum of 13 months in the year when a person has to pay €25 in respect of each period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35129/16]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration and operation of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
610. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the current bed capacity of Lifford residential care unit; and its current bed occupancy rate. [35130/16]
View answer611. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the current bed capacity of Ramelton residential care unit and its current bed occupancy rate. [35131/16]
View answer612. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the current bed capacity of St. Joseph’s, Stranorlar residential care unit and its current bed occupancy rate. [35132/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 610 to 612, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
613. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the estimated total cost of the proposed new Letterkenny community nursing unit; and the amount of this which will be provided from exchequer funding. [35133/16]
View answer614. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the building of the proposed new Letterkenny community nursing unit; if and when a competitive tendering contract for its building will take place; if a contract has been awarded for its construction; and if so, the details of same. [35134/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 613 and 614 together.
The Capital Programme announced earlier this year provides for the replacement and refurbishment of 90 public nursing homes across the country over the next five years. This includes provision for a new CNU at Letterkenny by 2021 at an estimated cost of €22.75m. This will replace existing beds where the physical environment requires significant improvement.
The costs included to date in the above Capital Programme are indicative only and will be refined as detailed work advances. This work includes include appraisal, project brief, design feasibility, the review of costing estimates and finalisation of financing. A contract has yet to be awarded in respect of this project.
