Written Answers Nos. 387-399
387. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if the FreeStyle Libre glucose sensor and scanner will be made available to persons with diabetes under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51943/17]
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.
388. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 15 November 2017, the full complement of beds in St. Finbar's ward at Galway University Hospital; the number of beds that were closed; the duration for which they were closed; the reason they were closed; if all of the beds are now in use; the circumstances which enabled the return to use of these beds in view of the fact that this was not answered in the reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51944/17]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
389. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 15 November 2017, the position regarding staffing and facilities at the maternity ultrasound department at Galway University Hospital; the complement of staff necessary to provide the services; the vacancies which exist and the recruitment process underway; if women are not receiving scans as a result of staffing issues; if so, the number of women affected in view of the fact that this was not answered in the reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51945/17]
View answerAs indicated in my original reply on 15 November, I was advised by the HSE that while the maternity unit at University Hospital Galway had been experiencing staffing difficulties, the ultrasound scanning service remained in place.
I understand that the HSE replied to you on November 29th; however, given your further queries, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly with the information requested and to clarify if the current staffing difficulties have resulted, or are resulting, in women not receiving scans and if that is the case, to detail the number of women involved.
390. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to introducing a mandatory schools vaccinations programme. [51952/17]
View answerThere are no plans to introduce a mandatory school vaccination programme as Ireland's vaccination programmes operate on a voluntary basis. Uptake rates for most childhood vaccinations currently approximate the 95% target level, at 94.6% for the 6-in-1 vaccine and 92.2% for the MMR.
Continued promotion of the benefits of vaccination and factual information on the vaccine itself and the genuine risks from the diseases they protect against are the key elements of immunisation information for parents. In this country we have seen a near complete removal of many of the infectious diseases which caused death and disability for older generations. However, sporadic outbreaks can occur, as seen recently in the case of measles, and the Department of Health urges parents to ensure that their children are fully vaccinated and to contact their GP or other health care professional if they have any vaccination concerns.
391. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health if children in second level education awaiting psychological assessment can avail of the cross-Border directive to access such an assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51953/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
392. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when he expects a person (details supplied) will be called for an appointment at the ear, nose and throat, ENT, unit at University Hospital Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51957/17]
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.
393. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a centre (details supplied) is classified as a section 39 employment as it appears to be much more aligned with being a section 38 status employer by the way it is funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51969/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
394. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when an operation for a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52021/17]
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.
395. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of recruiting an extra 500 hospital consultants; and the average estimated cost for support staff required per consultant. [52023/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
396. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of recruiting an additional 4,000 nursing staff. [52024/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
397. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of abolishing prescription charges. [52025/17]
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.
398. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of reducing the drug payment threshold to €100. [52026/17]
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.
399. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the estimated full-year cost of recruiting an additional 200 speech and language therapists. [52027/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
