Written Answers Nos. 885-904
885. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged zero to 18 years of age on waiting lists for initial and follow-up treatment with their local child and adolescent mental health team; the length of time they have been waiting by community healthcare organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36564/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
886. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged zero to 18 years of age on waiting lists for an assessment with the primary care psychology service; the length of time they have been waiting by community healthcare organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36565/18]
View answer887. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children aged zero to 18 years of age on waiting lists for initial and follow-up treatment with the primary care psychology service; the length of time they have been waiting by community healthcare organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36566/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 886 and 887 together.
As these question(s) relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
888. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children zero to 18 years of age on waiting lists for a speech and language assessment; the length of time they have been waiting by HSE community healthcare organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36567/18]
View answer889. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children zero to 18 years of age on waiting lists for initial and follow-up speech and language treatment; the length of time they have been waiting by HSE community healthcare organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36568/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 888 and 889 together.
As these question(s) relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
890. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists employed by the Health Service Executive; the number of whole-time equivalent vacancies by community healthcare organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36569/18]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.
891. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of children zero to 18 years of age on waiting lists for an initial assessment of need from early intervention teams; the length of time they have been waiting by HSE community healthcare organisation area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36570/18]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
892. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the allocation of the ten new advance nurse practitioner posts by community healthcare organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36572/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
893. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the allocation of the 114 new assistant psychologist appointments by community healthcare organisation; the number that are in post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36573/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
894. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the allocation of the 20 new psychologist appointments by community healthcare organisation; the number that are in post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36574/18]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
895. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts in whole-time equivalent terms in the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, for each CHO in tabular form. [36577/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
897. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the status of the consultation on the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise; the progress made to date; the expected completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36611/18]
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.
898. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the progress made on the new building for St. Vincent's Hospital, Mountmellick, County Laois; and the expected timeline for the project. [36612/18]
View answerAs 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.
899. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if additional personnel and resources will be allocated in respect of the processing of medical card applications due to delays in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36616/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
900. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if a review of the operation of the FreeStyle Libre reimbursement scheme for children and young adults will be arranged with a view to making FreeStyle Libre available on the long-term illness scheme for adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36617/18]
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.
901. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the position from the HSE estates department on the provision of a new paediatric diabetes centre that is to be developed at Sligo University Hospital; when funding for the centre will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36618/18]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to this matter.
902. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1810 of 24 July 2018, and in view of the fact no response has issued from the HSE, the full-year cost of reducing prescription charges to €1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36619/18]
View answerI have been advised by the HSE that a response to Question No. 1810 of 24 July 2018 was issued to the Deputy on 26 July.
903. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the full year cost of abolishing the prescription charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36620/18]
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.
904. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1814 of 24 July 2018, and in view of the fact no response has issued from the HSE, the full-year cost of hiring 500 new consultants. [36621/18]
View answerThe HSE has provided me with a copy of the response to PQ 35052 (Dail Ref 1814), which issued to the Deputy on the 23rd of July. I attach a copy to this response for his information.
