Wednesday, 5 Jul 2017

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (173)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

173. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a place will be allocated to a person (details supplied) to attend an organisation in Mallow for September 2017. [31649/17]

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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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

HSE Staff Remuneration

Questions (174, 175)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

174. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost of hiring ten nurses at the average rate of nurse's pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31654/17]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

175. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost of hiring 100 nurses at the average rate of nurse's pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31655/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

HSE Staff Remuneration

Questions (176, 177)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

176. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost of hiring ten doctors at the average rate of doctors pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31656/17]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

177. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost of hiring 100 doctors at the average rate of doctors pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31657/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Ambulance Service Data

Questions (178)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

178. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that are operating here; the way in which this compares with the number of ambulances that are required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31658/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Oireachtas Joint Committee Reports

Questions (179, 180)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

179. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to the future of health care report (details supplied) the cost of reducing charges to zero in year three. [31659/17]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

180. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to the future of health care report (details supplied) the cost of reducing charges to zero in one year. [31660/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme

Questions (181)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

181. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to the meeting that took place on 6 December 2016 with a person (details supplied), if he will contact the person directly and outline the steps that have been taken since the meeting took place in relation to the primary medical certificate assessment criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31663/17]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme, which is operated by the Revenue Commissioners, is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Finance. To qualify for the scheme, an applicant must be permanently and severely disabled within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations Act 1994 and be in possession of a primary medical certificate. The Deputy will be aware from the meeting I had with him on the 6 December 2016, that the medical criteria for a primary medical certificate are set be the Department of Finance. While applications for primary medical certificates are processed through the Health Service Executive (HSE) Local Health Offices, HSE personnel have no role in setting or amending the criteria.

My office has been in touch with the person directly to discuss the matter. I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to raise this issue with the Minister for Finance.

HSE Reports

Questions (182)

John McGuinness

Question:

182. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will publish a report published by the HSE into the allegations that children had been damaged in the public orthodontic service; the cost of this report which was undertaken by persons (details supplied); the action that has been taken by his Department relevant to the care of those persons affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31665/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Bullying in the Workplace

Questions (183)

John McGuinness

Question:

183. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 526 of 23 May 2017 (details supplied), the dates to date on which the HSE or his Department corresponded with or met the person; the dates on which his Department or the HSE wrote to the legal adviser of the person; if he will request St Patrick's Hospital, County Waterford to issue all the information requested under freedom of information in view of the fact that it is clear that the records released are incomplete; and if the report carried out by a person will be made available to the person and the family concerned. [31667/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the HSE has responsibility for operational issues which includes the determination of the terms and conditions of employment for its employees. The Health Act 2004 (as amended) also disallows the Minister for Health to get involved in individual cases.

Statutory responsibility for the Health Service Executive's (HSE) compliance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 rests entirely with the HSE. Accordingly, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Hospitals Data

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 to 186, inclusive, and 188 to 191, inclusive, together.

Birthrate Plus is a midwifery workforce planning tool. It is an evidence-based methodology that takes account of a range of factors to determine the appropriate midwifery resource for maternity services. As such, it does not make recommendations on ultrasound machines. In relation to the specific queries on staffing numbers and equipment, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Hospitals Data

Questions (187)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

187. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of foetal medicine experts operating in maternity hospitals by community health organisation and by individual maternity hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31686/17]

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Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Questions Nos. 188 to 191, inclusive, answered with Question No. 184.