Written Answers Nos. 313-327
313. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if Ministers, ministerial advisers or officials in his Department have ever used private email to communicate on departmental issues between one another or with other persons or organisations; if so, the reason; if so, if he will publish these emails; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38551/18]
View answerAll Ministers at my Department conduct official business through official Department of Health secure email accounts. The Department's ICT Acceptable Usage Policy states that users may not transmit sensitive or classified information using third party email services. The Ministers of State do not use personal email accounts for work purposes. As previously stated, I have on rare occasions used my gmail account when my Department's server was down. Access to webmail services is not permitted from the Department's network.
While a review is underway, there is currently no policy preventing members of Government using personal accounts.
314. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the average ratio of patients to nurses in the emergency department at University Hospital Kerry; and the recommended ratio. [38556/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
315. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the number of extra nursing resources provided to University Hospital Kerry in 2018 to deal with overcrowding in the emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38557/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
316. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if a pharmacy technician and desk clerk can be provided to reduce the burden on those that are employed in the emergency department of University Hospital Kerry in view of the difficulty nationally recruiting nurses. [38558/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
317. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health his plans to prepare for the busy winter months at the emergency department at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38559/18]
View answerTackling overcrowding in EDs is a key commitment of this Government. An extra €30 million was made available to respond to winter pressures in 2017, with a further €40 million being provided in 2018.
I understand that preparations and planning for winter 2018-19 have already begun at hospital and local level. My Department is working with the HSE to ensure that these local and regional plans are consolidated and supported through policies and plans at national level to ensure the most effective response to the winter challenges to unscheduled care provision.
Against this background, I am currently in the process of meeting with the chairs of the hospital groups and the chief officers of the community healthcare organisations to receive a briefing on their plans to respond to expected peak demand during the coming winter months.
318. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a helipad for a hospital (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38569/18]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
319. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting to see a child psychologist in County Limerick; the number of child psychologists employed in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38579/18]
View answer320. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to alleviate the waiting lists for children’s psychology services in County Limerick; if additional services to help deal with the backlog will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38580/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
321. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of 12 dedicated respite houses nationally announced on 12 December 2017; the specific locations of each; the number of persons that can be accommodated in each; the estimated number of respite nights that each house will provide in a full calendar year; the capital and acquisition costs of each; the estimated annual running costs of each; the number of whole-time equivalent staff to be employed in each; if each house is operational; and if not, when each will commence providing services, in tabular form. [38610/18]
View answerResidential respite services has come under increased pressure in the past couple of years. At the same time families need access to regular planned respite, whereas the lack of respite increases demand on scarce high-cost residential services.
The additional €10 million funding provided for 2018 has made a significant improvement in respite services for people with a disability and their families. 12 additional respite houses are opening across the country. 8 are now open, and the rest are being made ready to open before the end of the year. Funding of €8 million has been allocated to open these houses, providing additional respite for families that need it.
Some €2 million of the additional funding was also allocated to provide alternative respite services. These are practical and important solutions, extended day services, summer camps and Saturday clubs and they are making a difference to families right across the country.
As the Deputy’s question refers to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to her directly with regard to the specific detail she has requested.
322. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting a first assessment from the HSE under the Disability Act 2005 at the end of August 2018 or latest date available by each local health office area, in tabular form. [38611/18]
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.
323. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy assessment waiting list; and the number waiting less than four to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively, by each local health area, in tabular form. [38612/18]
View answer324. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy initial treatment waiting list; and the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively, by each local health area, in tabular form. [38613/18]
View answer325. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the speech and language therapy further treatment waiting list; and the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively, by each local health area, in tabular form. [38614/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 323 to 325, inclusive, together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
326. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the occupational therapy first time assessment waiting list; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively; and the number waiting aged 0 to four, five to 17, 18 to 64 and over 65 years of age, respectively, by each category, by local health area, in tabular form. [38615/18]
View answer327. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the occupational therapy treatment waiting list; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months, respectively; and the number waiting aged 0 to four, five to 17, 18 to 64 and over 65 years of age, respectively, by each category, by each local health office area, in tabular form. [38616/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
