Written Answers Nos. 869-888
869. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the names of all persons who have held a paid position at the grade of national director level at any time, including those who have departed, with the public health services since the beginning of 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37130/17]
View answer870. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed at the grade of national director by the public health services at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37131/17]
View answer871. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons paid at national director level by the health services at present, including the voluntary hospitals and all publicly funded health providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37132/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 869 to 871, inclusive, together.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on these matters.
872. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) with regard to psychology appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37133/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
873. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on external communications and public relations by publicly funded hospitals and individual community health care organisations in 2016, in tabular form. [37134/17]
View answer874. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on external communications and public relations by publicly funded hospitals and individual community health care organisations in each of the years from 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [37135/17]
View answer875. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount paid by each individual hospital, each hospital group and each CHO to named public relations and communications companies in 2016. [37136/17]
View answer876. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount paid by each individual hospital, each hospital group and each CHO to named public relations and communications companies in each of the years from 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [37137/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 873 to 876, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy's questions relate to expenditure by the Health Service Executive I have referred them to the HSE for direct reply.
877. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the detail of the usage of biosimilars as against biologics in publicly funded hospitals; his plans to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37138/17]
View answerMy Department is currently developing a National Biosimilar Medicines Policy to promote the rational use of biosimilar medicines and to create a sustainable environment for biological medicines in Ireland. The policy will aim to increase biosimilar use in Ireland, by creating a robust framework in which biologicals and biosimilars can be safely, cost-effectively and confidently used in the health service.
My Department has initiated this consultation process to ensure that a wide range of views are considered in developing this policy framework. The consultation paper is available online at http://health.gov.ie/consultations and the closing date for submissions is the 22 September 2017.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
878. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be given an urgent appointment in Crumlin children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37141/17]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
879. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the timeline for the replacement of the ENT surgeon at Tallaght hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37142/17]
View answerIn relation to the query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to him directly.
880. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which appropriate treatment and back-up can be offered to a person (details supplied); if early access to required surgery and other therapeutic services can be arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37143/17]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
881. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for nursing support by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37147/17]
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.
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
882. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of places available in each county under the community funded scheme (details supplied); and the waiting lists in each area to date in 2017 by county, in tabular form. [37148/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
883. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for a form of therapy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37149/17]
View answerIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
884. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding in place for a primary care centre (details supplied) which will now be built at an alternative site to that announced a number of years ago; and if this funding is sufficient to complete the project. [37155/17]
View answer886. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a primary care centre first announced in 2013 for Monaghan town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37157/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 884 and 886 together.
The HSE has advised that the design team is currently completing the Detailed Design stage.
Future investment in healthcare infrastructure, including this project, must be considered within the overall capital envelope available to the health service. The HSE will continue to apply the available funding for infrastructure development in the most effective way possible to meet current and future needs, having regard to the level of commitments and the costs to completion already in place. As there will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer, capital funding is not ring-fenced by project in order to ensure that the HSE has flexibility within its capital allocation in the event that one or more of the hundreds of construction projects underway at any time do not progress as scheduled. This enables the HSE to leverage its capital allocation efficiently, so that it delivers the maximum number of priority projects for the funding available.
885. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was refused home help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37156/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
887. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses employed by hospital over the past 12 months; the areas in which they were employed in each hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37158/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
888. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding nurses who, due to ill health, seek to move from their current place of work to a location closer to their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37160/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
