Written Answers Nos. 685-704
685. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason psychological services have been removed from a child (details supplied) who is linked in with child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35792/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
686. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a series of matters raised by a group (details supplied) regarding the care and management of type 1 diabetes in County Kerry will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35795/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
687. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35799/18]
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, since 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.
688. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a dental appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35800/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
689. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the name of the person leading the consultation into the services at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; the terms of reference of the consultation process; when persons will be contacted about same; the timeframe for the consultation process to be completed; when a report will be presented to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35801/18]
View answerI am committed to securing and further developing the role of the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise as a constituent hospital within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group. Since 2014, the focus has been on supporting the hospital and significant work has been undertaken to strengthen and stabilise current arrangements for services at the hospital.
As the Deputy will be aware I have agreed on a consultation process on services at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise. An external facilitator is to be appointed and the consultation will include opportunities for engagement with stakeholders and interest groups.
Further details on the consultation arrangements will be available in the coming weeks.
690. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if additional resources will be allocated to the NDT in order to facilitate services for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35808/18]
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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
691. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health his plans to make the FreeStyle Libre device available under the long-term illness scheme; and if so, when. [35810/18]
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.
692. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a request to transfer from rheumatology services at Manorhamilton to those at Letterkenny University Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) will be acknowledged and responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35818/18]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
693. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the status of the plans for the new maternity hospital at St. James's Hospital, Dublin 8; if a planning application has been lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35822/18]
View answerIn line with best international practice, it is Government policy that standalone maternity hospitals should be co-located with acute adult hospitals. The New Maternity Hospital at the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus will be the first of these to be developed, with the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital and University Maternity Hospital, Limerick to follow in time.
The National Maternity Strategy, published in January 2016, reaffirms the commitment to the provision of maternity services on the St James's Campus and the tri-location of adult, children’s and maternity services at St James’s will create a centre of healthcare excellence for patients of all ages.
The relocation of the Coombe Hospital to the St James's site is at an early stage and has yet to progress to planning and design phases. Construction of the new children's hospital is currently underway on the St James’s site and construction of the new maternity hospital on that site will not commence until after the new children's hospital is completed. I can confirm, however, that the new children's hospital design has incorporated the required operational links with both the maternity and adult hospitals and that a site for the proposed maternity hospital is identified in the St James's campus Master Plan.
694. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the new endoscopy unit in Naas General Hospital. [35827/18]
View answer695. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health when he envisages the new endoscopy unit in Naas opening. [35828/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 694 and 695 together.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond directly you in relation to this matter.
696. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [35829/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
697. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that there is no regulation of tattoo and body piercing businesses here; his plans to introduce legislation to protect the health of users of these services; the reason for the delay in publishing guidelines for this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35834/18]
View answerThere is no specific legislation in Ireland in relation to the regulation of tattooing and body piercing businesses. However, they are required to comply with public health as well as health and safety legislation in the same way as any other business. In the absence of sector specific regulation, my Department and the Health Service Executive are finalising guidelines on infection control for use by the tattooing and body piercing industry. The purpose of this document is to provide guidance in relation to infection control, and is aimed at achieving the highest standards of safety and prevention. It will also provide information concerning best practice to people who are considering getting a tattoo or body piercing when choosing an operator.
698. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints received by his Department and the HSE relating to tattoo and body piercing in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35835/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
699. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints received by environmental health officers relating to infectious diseases or injuries originating from tattoo and body piercing businesses in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35836/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
700. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections carried out by environmental health officers in tattoo and body piercing businesses in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35837/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
701. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35844/18]
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, since 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.
702. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment in University Hospital Kerry, UHK, for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35845/18]
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, since 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.
703. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting on services for CAMHS by county for more than six, nine, 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35846/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
704. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the HSE of maintaining existing levels of service in mental health services for 2019; if funds will be allocated to address gaps in existing levels of service for mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35847/18]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that significant additional funding has been provided for mental health over recent years. It is my intention to continue to improve various aspects of this key service in line with Programme for Government commitments.
The level of funding available for my Department is being considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process for 2019 which is currently underway. Pending completion of this process it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
