Written Answers Nos. 417-435
417. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress the HSE has made with establishing the project group representing all stakeholders to develop the plan for Abbeyleix Hospital, County Laois; when this group will meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13998/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
418. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of samples submitted for testing for Lyme borrelia for each of the years 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by county in tabular form; the number which returned positive results, long-standing positive results and an equivocal result, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14001/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
419. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if capital investment is planned for the laundry department of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital; his views on whether the facilities and equipment of the laundry department need improvement and investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14004/18]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
420. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of the refurbishment works at Kanturk Community Hospital, Kanturk, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14036/18]
View answerMy Department has asked the Health Service Executive to provide the Deputy directly with the information requested in respect of Kanturk Community Hospital, Cork.
421. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for a medical card in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14047/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond directly to the Deputy.
422. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the opening of pre and post lung transplant rooms at the Mater Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14055/18]
View answerThe Deputy's questions relate to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
423. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for increasing the number of cystic fibrosis beds at Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14056/18]
View answerThe Programme for Partnership Government contains a Government commitment regarding the development of a dedicated Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Unit in Beaumont Hospital, to be progressed in the context of a CF Model of Care.
This CF Unit capital project will thus be underpinned by the “Model of Care for People with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland” which is being developed by the National Clinical Programme for Cystic Fibrosis (NCPCF). The Model of Care will set out standards and requirements for the physical and human resources to be provided for treatment of cystic fibrosis patients from a national perspective.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform governs the processes surrounding the development of healthcare projects by way of guidelines, principally the Public Spending Code. Further rigour is demanded by, and set out in, relevant EU Directives. All proposed projects must be submitted to the HSE’s Capital and Property Steering Committee for approval and prioritisation prior to inclusion in its multi-annual Capital Plans. In terms of the progression of the CF Unit capital project I am happy to confirm that it has been included in the National Planning Framework under Project Ireland 2040, as well as being recommended for inclusion in the capital plan by the HSE National Capital Steering Committee.
424. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the public health guidelines that exist in relation to the maximum number of hours different children should spend playing computer games; the way in which these are publicised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14058/18]
View answerWhile there are currently no specific public health guidelines in relation to the maximum hours that children should spend playing computer games, some general guidance is provided by the HSE and others to parents on this issue. This includes general guidance given through the new public awareness campaign promoting healthy weight in children called START.
This campaign was developed by my Department in collaboration with the HSE and safefood and provides information, advice and tips to inspire, empower and support parents to start building and persist with healthy lifestyle habits in the family to prevent childhood obesity. The key messages of the campaign, available at www.makeastart.ie , include guidance around healthy eating, physical activity, sleep and limiting screen time.
In terms of screen time, it is recommended that children in general should aim for less than 2 hours screen time (TV or computer) a day and zero screen time is recommended for children under 2 years.
425. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive notification of their appointment in the Mater Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14059/18]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
426. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health the reason general practitioners are accepting patients for just six months at the request that they allocate themselves another general practitioner within the six month timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14060/18]
View answerAs this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
427. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made towards the construction of the south Donegal community hospital project, Ballyshannon; when a contractor will be appointed; and when work will commence on this project. [14065/18]
View answerMy Department has asked the Health Service Executive to provide the Deputy directly with the information requested in respect of the project at Ballyshannon.
428. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the amount which has been allocated in 2018 for the construction of the new mental health unit at Sligo University Hospital. [14066/18]
View answerMy Department has asked the Health Service Executive to provide the Deputy directly with the information requested in respect of Sligo University Hospital.
429. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the amount which has been allocated in 2018 towards the redevelopment of the surgical ward block at Sligo University Hospital. [14067/18]
View answerMy Department has asked the Health Service Executive to provide the Deputy directly with the information requested in respect of Sligo University Hospital.
430. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made towards the provision of a catheterisation laboratory at Sligo University Hospital. [14068/18]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
431. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health the average time from registration to discharge for all patients presenting at the accident and emergency department in University Hospital Galway; the average waiting time from registration to discharge for patients presenting with minor injuries at the department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14070/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
432. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health when changes to cap the financial contribution that can be applied on family farms under the fair deal nursing home scheme will be introduced following the passing of a motion in Dáil Éireann on 1 June 2017; the timeframe for the implementation of this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14071/18]
View answerMy Department has been advancing work on this matter and having regard for this complex issue and for the sensitivities of the Scheme I requested legal advice from the office of the Attorney General regarding potential changes to the legislation that will address this matter.
The Department has received this advice and is exploring the legislative changes necessary and any potential impacts as a result of amending the scheme. A Memo for Government on this issue will be brought forward shortly and subject to Government approval and the drafting process, I then hope to bring forward these legislative proposals thereafter.
433. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health if core funding will be made available to an association (details supplied) for its helpline, its advocacy work and to support its branch structure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14076/18]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
434. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health his plans to establish nationwide Parkinson's nurse specialist service and surgical service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14077/18]
View answerThe Model of Care for Neurology was launched by the Director General of the HSE in late 2016. This was developed by the HSE’s National Clinical Programme for Neurology in collaboration with consultants, nurses, health and social care professionals and patient support groups. It aims to address the need for strategic development of neurology services in the provision of better care for these patients. This year, funding has been allocated by the HSE to commence development of peri- and post-operative services to support patients with Parkinson's Disease receiving Deep Brain Stimulation.
In relation to the particular queries raised, as these are service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
435. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if care and rehabilitation will be provided for a person (details supplied) at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire; and if the matter will be expedited. [14101/18]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
