Wednesday, 3 May 2017

Hospital Staff Data

Questions (225)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

225. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number and grades of all vacancies at Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20889/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Voluntary Sector Data

Questions (226, 227)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

226. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the policy of the HSE regarding zero-hour contracts and if-and-when contracts of employment for section 39 Health Act 2004 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20890/17]

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Catherine Connolly

Question:

227. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the name and number of all section 39 Health Act 2004 organisations in Galway city and county; the level of public funding allocated to each organisation; the number of staff employed by each organisation; if he will provide a breakdown of employment contracts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20891/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 226 and 227 together.

Under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE has in place Service Level Agreements with voluntary providers which set out the level of service to be provided for the grant to the individual organisation. Any individuals employed by these section 39 organisations are not HSE employees and therefore, the HSE has no role in determining the terms and conditions of contracts applying to these staff. Accordingly, such arrangements offered by each service provider may vary.

In relation to the other matters referred to, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Disability Services Funding

Questions (228)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

228. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health in regard to an organisation (details supplied) the annual amount of funding given to the organisation for each of the past five years to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of staff employed by the organisation; if he will provide a breakdown of employment contracts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20892/17]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Review

Questions (229)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

229. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to publish the recommendations of the interdepartmental working group on the fair deal scheme; if he will introduce changes to the scheme to provide certainty to persons (details supplied) and address the situation whereby the viability of farms can be undermined due to the terms of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20893/17]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

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.

An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the Review. This Group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners, and when required, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF). These recommendations include examining the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme. This work is currently underway. An initial report on progress was submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Health in September 2016.

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; in that regard it is important to remember that the NHSS is largely underpinned by primary legislation.

The Programme for a Partnership Government has also committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small businesses and family farms. This review is currently underway. I am committed to this review of the position with regard to family farms and small business for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme.

Question No. 230 withdrawn.

Hospital Services

Questions (231)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

231. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if full five-day nursing-led care is available at a hospital (details supplied); if not, his plans to reinstate this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20900/17]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Nursing Home Accommodation Provision

Questions (232)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

232. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the status of plans for a multi-million euro development proposed for a hospital (details supplied) in Roscommon town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20901/17]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Capital Programme announced in January 2016 provides for the replacement and refurbishment of 90 public nursing homes across the country over the next five years including the Sacred Heart Hospital, Roscommon. Under this Programme it is proposed to deliver a new build 100 bed community nursing home by 2021. This will replace existing beds where the physical environment requires substantial improvement.

Significant work has been undertaken by the HSE in determining the most appropriate scheduling of projects over the multi-annual period from 2016 to 2021, within the phased provision of funding, to achieve compliance and registration with HIQA. All healthcare infrastructure developments, including this development, must comply with DPER guidelines and EU directives and will require a lead-in time to complete the various stages. These stages include appraisal, project brief, design feasibility, detailed design, some of which may overlap, the review of costing estimates and finalisation of financing.

Hospital Equipment

Questions (233)

Martin Ferris

Question:

233. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the operational status of the DXA scanner at University Hospital Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20921/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Health Services Provision

Questions (234)

Michael Ring

Question:

234. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health the reason the HSE has not responded to a query raised in Parliamentary Question No. 584 of 11 April 2017. [20936/17]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I understand the Health Service Executive responded to the Deputy on the 18 April on that question.

Dental Services Provision

Questions (235)

Robert Troy

Question:

235. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will schedule an emergency dental appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20959/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 236 answered with Question No. 27.