Wednesday, 15 May 2019

Written Answers Nos. 202-211

Mental Health Services Funding

Questions (202)

Gerry Adams

Question:

202. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the mental health funding allocation for each county for 2019; and the per capita spend in each county for 2019, in tabular form. [21094/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Mental Health Services Staff

Questions (203)

Gerry Adams

Question:

203. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of advanced nurse practitioners working within Louth mental health services. [21095/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Questions (204)

John Brassil

Question:

204. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no NTPF initiative in counties Cork and Kerry for ophthalmology outpatient appointments in view of the long wait times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21100/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The information sought by the Deputy has been requested by officials in my Department, and will be provided to the Deputy directly as soon as it becomes available.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (205)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

205. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that funding is granted by the HSE for breast prostheses, bras and swimwear for CHO area 8; the reason approvals are not being granted to women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21131/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (206)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card application in the case of a person (details supplied); if the application will now be approved on medical grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21146/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Directive for direct reply to the Deputy.

HSE Governance

Questions (207)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which a chain of command exists throughout the HSE with particular reference to the degree to which specific responsibilities rest with particular sectors or individuals, such as the maintenance of the highest possible standards at mortuaries nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21147/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Performance and Accountability Framework (PAF) sets out how the HSE, in particular the Hospital Group CEO’s, Community Healthcare Organisations (CHO) Chief Officers, the Director of the National Ambulance Service (NAS), the head of the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) and heads of other national services  are held to account for their performance in relation to the four equally important domains of the Balanced Scorecard which are Access to services, the Quality and Safety of those services, doing this within the Financial Resources available and effectively harnessing the efforts of the workforce.

The HSE are currently operating the 2018 PAF, however with the impending legislation to formally establish new Governance structures in the HSE including a new Board, further new governance arrangements will be required. It is expected that current performance and accountability systems will be reviewed and strengthened following the enactment of the HSE Governance Bill. The current Accountability Structures that operate in the HSE are as follows:

1. Service Managers and the CEOs of Section 38 and 39 agencies to the Hospital Group CEOs and CHO Chief Officers.

2. Hospital Group CEOs, CHO Chief Officers, the Head of PCRS and Heads of other national services to the National Directors Acute Services Operations and Performance, Community Services Operations and Performance and National Services

3. National Directors Acute Services Operations and Performance, Community Services Operations and Performance and National Services to the Deputy Director General Operations

4. The Deputy Director General Operations to the Director General

5. The Director General to the Directorate

6. The Directorate to the Minister

Home Care Packages Data

Questions (208)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which home care packages are being made available nationally; the extent to which provision in this regard to date has alleviated pressure on hospital beds and accident and emergency departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21148/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Questions (209)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

209. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which staff shortages have shown up in the past six months that may have impeded the delivery and quality of the health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21149/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Health Services Staff Data

Questions (210)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

210. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of extra nursing staff at all grades that have been employed by the HSE in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21150/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Questions (211)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants employed throughout the public health sector in the past two years; the extent to which vacancies remain to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21151/19]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.