Written Answers Nos. 463-486
463. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); if all outstanding information in respect of their application has now been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39509/17]
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 HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
464. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the estimated amount it would cost in 2018 to recruit an additional 100 dentists for the public health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39516/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
465. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the estimated amount it would cost to purchase 25 extra fully kitted out ambulances for the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39517/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
466. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE service plan 2015 directive regarding rates of pay for sleepovers in the intellectual disability and children and family sector applies to all qualified personnel working in both public and private facilities; and if so, the amount of that rate. [39518/17]
View answerIn September 2014, a Labour Court Recommendation (LCR 20837) issued following a hearing between the HSE and IMPACT, SIPTU and Unite trade unions. The hearing was in respect of the terms under which social care workers and related grades are employed in the children's residential services and the Intellectual Disability Sector in relation to sleepover arrangements.
Following the Labour Court hearing, the Court recommended to the parties that the staff concerned should be paid the minimum wage hourly rate in respect of each hour spent on sleepover in excess of 39 hours.
The Labour Court Recommendation concerned the parties to the hearing, the employer, in this case, being the HSE. Neither the HSE nor the Minister have a role in relation to private service providers. It is a matter for private employers to negotiate salaries with their staff as part of the terms and conditions of their employment.
467. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the date on which the new 50 bed mental health unit at Galway University Hospital will open; the plans in place to facilitate this transfer; the reason for the delay in opening the unit; the complement of staff necessary to run the unit; if all of those positions have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39519/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
468. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the status of proposals the Galway psychiatric unit has for the provision of outpatient clinics and-or services in Galway city and county; the status of the proposed outpatient facility at Dangan, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39520/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
469. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a HSE query; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39523/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
470. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he will provide €40 million additional funding in Budget 2018 to provide for dementia care co-ordinators in each local health office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39546/17]
View answerThe level of funding available for my Department is being considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process for 2018 which is currently underway. Pending completion of this process it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
471. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment can be scheduled to have braces fitted for a person (details supplied). [39547/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an application for a medical card in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39548/17]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
473. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the freestyle libre system to be made available under the LTI scheme for persons with diabetes; if availability will not be restricted only to persons with type 1 diabetes but will be made available to all persons on multi daily insulin injections based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39554/17]
View answerUnder 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.
474. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the freestyle libre system to be made available under the LTI scheme for persons with diabetes; if availability will not be restricted only to persons with type 1 diabetes but will be made available to all persons on multi daily insulin injections based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39555/17]
View answerUnder 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.
475. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when the freestyle libre system will be made available under the long term illness scheme for persons with diabetes; if availability will not be restricted only to persons with type 1 diabetes but will be made available to all persons on multi daily insulin injections based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39557/17]
View answerUnder 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.
476. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if a procedure can be expedited for a person (details supplied). [39565/17]
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 you directly.
477. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will provide advice in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39568/17]
View answerIf an individual is suffering from a mental disorder, they may go into a psychiatric hospital or unit voluntarily, or they may be committed as an involuntary patient.
The process of involuntary detention under the Mental Health Act is a three-step process. The first step requires an applicant (relative, An Garda Síochána, designated officer of the Health Services Executive, or any other person who has concerns about the mental health and welfare of the individual in the community) to make an application.
The second step is for the patient to be reviewed by a General Practitioner. In the event that the General Practitioner is of the view that the person is suffering from a mental disorder and would benefit from a period of treatment in hospital, or if there is a risk of harm by that person to themselves or others, the General Practitioner would complete the second step.
The third step is whereby the consultant psychiatrist on duty in the psychiatric unit reviews the patient. If the psychiatrist, following an assessment agrees that clinically the person requires an in-patient admission under the Act they complete the third step. At this point a person is detained under the Act. The Mental Health Commission website www.mhcirl.ie contains a very useful summary entitled “Your Guide to the Mental Health Act, 2001” which may act as a useful reference guide.
478. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a reclining chair by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39569/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
479. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the freestyle libre system to be made available under the LTI scheme for persons with diabetes; if availability will not be restricted only to persons with type 1 diabetes but will be made available to all persons on multi-daily insulin injections based on clinical need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39574/17]
View answerUnder 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.
480. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he has given consideration to adding a dietician to the services potentially provided following an assessment of need report being produced for a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39575/17]
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.
However, 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.
481. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine complaints made regarding the care of a person (details supplied) in relation to St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39576/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
482. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the provision of funding for a Prader-Willi syndrome pilot project; if he has been liaising with an association (details supplied) on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39578/17]
View answerEarlier this year I was at the launch of the Pradar Willi Syndrome National Survey. I also met with the association, the purpose of the meeting was for PWSAI to outline the research findings of “ A Population-Based Profile of Prader-Willi Syndrome in Ireland and to make a case for the delivery of respite services specifically catering to the needs of Prader Willi sufferers.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability. The HSE’s Social Care Operational Plan for 2017 aims to provide 182,000 overnight stays in centre-based respite services, in addition to 41,000 day respite sessions. Respite care for children and adults with disabilities is provided by the HSE directly in some instances, or by agencies funded by the HSE to provide services on its behalf.
The HSE remains committed to working with all voluntary disability service providers to ensure that all of the resources available for specialist disability services, including respite services, are used in the most efficient and effective manner possible. And 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 further reply.
483. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the details of the appraisal stage for Saint Patricks hospital, Cashel which is included in the capital programme announced in 2016; the details of each of the stages that form part of the capital planning guidelines; the approximate timeframe for each stage based on the HSE's previous project experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39579/17]
View answerThe HSE is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects. Therefore, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to these matters.
484. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a case (details supplied); and when the person concerned can expect an appointment. [39581/17]
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 you directly.
485. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will assist in having a replacement item procured for a person (details supplied) in County Cork in view of the difficulties this person has with their existing equipment. [39582/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
486. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason the dental clinic in Castlepollard is being closed and withdrawn to Mullingar (details supplied). [39588/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
