Written Answers Nos. 1115-1125
1115. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that outpatient appointments for the paediatrics urology surgeon at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin have been cut by up to 50% since October 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41893/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1117. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of times and dates he has met the CEO or chairperson of every organisation under his remit, in tabular form [1002/17]
View answerMeetings I have attended with CEOs, Directors or Chairpersons of agencies under the auspices of the Department of Health since my appointment are presented in the following table.
|
Agency |
No. of meetings |
Dates |
|
Health Information & Quality Authority (HIQA) |
2 |
13/07/2016, 29/11/2016 |
|
Health Products Regulatory Authority |
2 |
17/10/2016, 16/12/2016 |
|
Health Service Executive (HSE) including Winter Initiative Meetings and ED Taskforce Meetings |
39 |
11/05/2016, 17/05/2016, 30/05/2016, 31/05/2016, 08/06/2016, 13/06/2016, 21/06/2016, 28/06/2016, 29/06/2016, 04/07/2016, 05/07/2016, 15/07/2016, 19/07/2016, 10/08/2016, 16/08/2016, 16/08/2016, 24/08/2016, 06/09/2016, 06/09/2016, 19/09/2016, 27/09/2016, 04/10/2016, 11/10/2016, 18/10/2016, 25/10/2016, 01/11/2016, 08/11/2016, 15/11/2016, 22/11/2016, 23/11/2016, 29/11/2016, 01/12/2016, 06/12/2016, 13/12/2016, 20/12/2016, 29/12/2016,03/01/2017, 05/01/2017, 05/01/2016 |
|
Medical Council |
1 |
02/11/2016 |
|
National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) |
2 |
20/06/2016, 29/11/2016 |
|
VHI |
2 |
28/09/2016, 25/10/2016 |
1120. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to add new low protein products to the long-term illness card list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1017/17]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1121. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to change the way in which farm assets are assessed for the nursing home subvention scheme; when this is likely to be announced and come into force; if legislation will be required; if so, the progress to date in preparing this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1041/17]
View answerThe Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings. A financial assessment is carried out by the HSE to determine how much a participant in the Scheme will contribute to the cost of their care. The Programme for a Partnership Government has committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small businesses and family farms.
When the NHSS commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015. Arising out of the Review, a number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies, including the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme. This work is currently underway and the IFA has made a submission in this context to the Interdepartmental Group which is overseeing the implementation of certain recommendations contained in the Review. The proposals put forward by the IFA are currently being considered. Once all of the relevant Review recommendations have been considered, any amendments required to the Scheme will be identified. Changes which require legislative implementation will be addressed collectively.
1122. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the acute hospitals division and HSE west estates will complete their evaluation of the University Hospital Galway MRI business case; the number of patients waiting for MRI scans at University Hospital Galway at the current time; the average waiting time, broken down between priority 1, priority 2 and priority 3 cases at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1042/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1123. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will outline all funding announcements made by him or by his Department for projects in County Mayo since January 2015, in tabular form; the details of each project; the status of the project at 31 December 2016; the amount of funding drawn down at 31 December 2016; and the reason for the delay in the project or funding draw down. [1061/17]
View answerMy Department administered a National Lottery Discretionary Fund in the years referred to by the Deputy from which once off grants were made to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. Lottery funding provided in each of the years amounted to €3.286 million. All grants allocated by the Fund have been drawn down to date.
A list of all the organisations in County Mayo that received lottery funding in 2015 and 2016 is available on my Department's website at: http://health.gov.ie/about-us/list-of-organisations-who-received-lottery-funding-2009-2016/.
1124. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for a person (details supplied) to be assessed in regard to the supply of a special chair. [1074/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
