Written Answers Nos. 416-438
416. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the level to which staffing levels in the National Ambulance Service need to fall to before it is considered a national emergency; and the point at which the Army could be called to assist the service [12101/19]
View answerOver recent years significant investment has been made in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) both to build capacity and to reconfigure the management and delivery of pre-hospital emergency care services. The objective is to develop a clinically driven nationally co-ordinated system, supported by improved technology.
In relation to the specific operational issue raised I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
417. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints received during 2018 from staff in the north-east National Ambulance Service regarding failure to be given a break during their shift. [12102/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
418. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulance stations nationally in which there have been reports of rat, mice or other rodent infestation in 2018; the actions taken on such matters; and if there have been incidents in which staff have had to vacate due to such infestations. [12103/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
419. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason staff were moved from the ambulance station in UHG to Merlin Park and then subsequently moved back out. [12104/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
420. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if a health and safety report was carried out on the ambulance based in UHG; if a report was also carried out by HIQA; if the reports have been made available to the local health and safety representative in the ambulance base; and if a copy will be made available. [12105/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
422. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health the number of elective surgeries and procedures cancelled by specialty at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, by each month in 2017 and 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12108/19]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
423. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the amount the HSE spent on the provision of private ambulances from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. [12122/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
424. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the collective agreement between the recognised unions and the HSE regarding paramedic ICO locations; and if there have been adverse incidents regarding this agreement. [12123/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
425. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health his views in whether ICO staff should progress to paramedic training and compete for training with members of the public. [12124/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
426. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if the current roster is the minimum staffing level for ICO nationally. [12125/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
427. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that paramedics in the National Ambulance Service are being refused payment for attending court when summoned by the court to give evidence on behalf of the State; his views on whether the HSE may be in breach of its financial regulations on the matter; and if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that paramedics are being sent to alternative State agencies to retrieve payment contrary to the HSE financial regulations policy. [12126/19]
View answerAs this question relates to operational issues, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
428. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the OJEU notice under which the contract for the provision of a national agency vendor management system to manage its recruitment agency framework was awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12130/19]
View answer429. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health when the contract for the provision of a national agency vendor management system was awarded to a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12131/19]
View answer431. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the duration of the HSE contract with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12133/19]
View answer432. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the number of other companies that tendered for the vendor management system contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12134/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 428, 429, 431 and 432 together.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
430. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the financial consideration that has been afforded for the use of a system (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12132/19]
View answerMy Department has never used nor had any dealings in respect of the system indicated.
433. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if all fire certifications are in place and approved for the underground car park for the national children’s hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12135/19]
View answerThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital and outpatient and urgent care centres. I have asked the NPHDB to respond to you directly.
434. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if fire certifications relevant to the underground car park at the new national children’s hospital include approval for the parking of large numbers of electric vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12136/19]
View answerThe National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) has statutory responsibility for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital and outpatient and urgent care centres. I have asked the NPHDB to respond to you directly.
435. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an MRI scan will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [12142/19]
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.
436. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a cost to those using emergency accommodation provided by the HSE for nursing staff of a hospital (details supplied) over the past five years. [12149/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
437. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to be transferred from Letterkenny University Hospital to the St. Conal’s rehabilitation unit in Letterkenny, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12151/19]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
438. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to be admitted to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12152/19]
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.
