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Thursday, 11 Jul 2019

Written Answers Nos. 567-591

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Questions (567)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

567. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of amending the fees charged under the NHSS to enable nursing home residents with an assessed weekly income of €300 or less to retain a minimum of €60 weekly. [30934/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Hospital Facilities

Questions (568)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

568. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost, current and capital, of providing a mobile catheterisation laboratory for Waterford University Hospital. [30935/19]

View answer

Written answers

As 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.

Hospital Services

Questions (569)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

569. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year running costs of opening each medical assessment unit on a seven day basis. [30936/19]

View answer

Written answers

I understand that the HSE has advised the Deputy that the information sought is not readily available. I have requested the National Director for Acute Hospitals to put a process in place to estimate the additional costs involved and to advise the Deputy directly.

Hospital Consultant Recruitment

Questions (570)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

570. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an extra 500 hospital consultants; and the average estimate for support staff required per consultant. [30937/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Questions (571)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

571. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional 4,000 nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30938/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

General Practitioner Contracts

Questions (572)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

572. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of increasing the general practitioner rural practice allowance to €25,000. [30940/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for it to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

National Maternity Strategy

Questions (573)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

573. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of implementing the national maternity strategy. [30941/19]

View answer

Written answers

The National Women & Infants Health Programme in the HSE is leading on the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy. As such, the Programme has developed a detailed Implementation Plan which will see the National Maternity Strategy implemented on a phased basis over the lifetime of the Strategy. The Implementation Plan is presented under the Strategy's four strategic priorities and details how each of the 77 actions will be implemented. The funding requirement for the Strategy will vary from year to year and the Implementation Plan will inform the annual estimates process.

As the Deputy’s specific query relates to the implementation of the Strategy and the associated cost, I have asked the HSE to reply to the Deputy directly.

Question No. 574 answered with Question No. 566.

Mental Health Services Staff

Questions (575)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

575. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of completing the recruitment required for the full implementation of A Vision for Change. [30943/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Drugs Payment Scheme

Questions (576)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

576. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of reducing the drug payment threshold to €100. [30944/19]

View answer

Written answers

The estimated full year cost of reducing the Drugs Payment Scheme monthly threshold to €100 is €25.2 million.

Speech and Language Therapy Staff

Questions (577)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

577. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional 200 speech and language therapists. [30945/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Occupational Therapy Staff

Questions (578)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

578. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional 200 occupational therapists. [30946/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Physiotherapy Provision

Questions (579)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

579. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional 200 physiotherapists. [30947/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Dental Services Staff

Questions (580)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

580. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of recruiting an additional 50 dental surgeons. [30948/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Ambulance Service Data

Questions (581)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

581. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated capital cost of providing an additional emergency ambulance; and the estimated full year cost of additional personnel required for its staffing. [30949/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

Disability Services Data

Questions (582)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

582. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost full year cost of providing an additional 1.5 million personal assistant hours for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30950/19]

View answer

Written answers

The 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.

Home Care Packages Data

Questions (583)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

583. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of providing an additional 200 intensive home care packages for persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30951/19]

View answer

Written answers

Nationally, the HSE is providing approximately €7.9 million for Dementia-Specific Intensive Homecare Packages this year to facilitate people with dementia who have complex needs to remain living at home. Since the introduction of these packages at the end of 2014, 443 dementia-specific intensive homecare packages have been delivered, with 201 active at the end of March 2019.

People with dementia can also avail of standard Home Support Services for Older People, on the basis of need and within the resources available. A total of €426 million has been provided for home support services this year, delivering over 17.9 million home support hours to over 53,000 people.

The level of funding available for the Department of Health in 2020 and the quantum of services to be provided by the HSE, including for persons with dementia, will be considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process and National Service Planning.

With regard to the full year cost of providing an additional 200 intensive homecare packages, as this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Beds Data

Questions (584)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

584. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of providing an additional 100 critical care beds. [30952/19]

View answer

Written answers

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health and personal social care services, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Disability Services Data

Questions (585)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

585. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing an additional 150 inpatient rehabilitation beds. [30953/19]

View answer

Written answers

The 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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (586)

Robert Troy

Question:

586. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an emergency appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied). [30955/19]

View answer

Written answers

Under 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.

Project Ireland 2040 Implementation

Questions (587)

Jack Chambers

Question:

587. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if expenditure estimates for capital projects under Project Ireland 2040 under the remit of his Department and agencies match projected cost requirements in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30967/19]

View answer

Written answers

Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan are long-term plans which will provide the capital funding to develop infrastructure, equipment and additional service capacity for the public health sector over the next decade. The National Development Plan provides €10.9 billion, representing an increase of 165% in capital funding over the previous decade. The capital funding for Health in the National Development Plan will provide the capital investment for a solid, ambitious plan to improve our health services and modernise how we deliver services through the implementation of Sláintecare.

Detailed policy analysis to underpin this very significant health capital investment is required to guide service and operational specifications for the new facilities and equipment. We must also ensure that we carefully plan the use of this capital funding to meet the populations health needs and achieve value for money.

Many of the health capital projects in Project 2040 at very early stages of development and it is important to recognise that all capital development proposals, must progress through detailed appraisal, planning, design, procurement and delivery of the project before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Questions (588, 589)

Michael McGrath

Question:

588. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if information (details supplied) regarding public hospital waiting lists will be provided. [30973/19]

View answer

Michael McGrath

Question:

589. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if information (details supplied) regarding public hospital waiting lists for surgery will be provided. [30974/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 588 and 589 together.

South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital Outpatient

Row Labels

0-3Months

3-6Months

6-9Months

9-12Months

12-15Months

15-18Months

18-21Months

21-24Months

24-36Months

36-48Months

48+Months

Grand Total

Dermatology

1516

569

541

455

272

191

110

13

3667

Endocrinology

128

87

98

67

75

21

476

General Surgery

643

149

85

61

46

53

56

26

1119

Maxillo-Facial

172

57

69

41

339

Orthopaedics

1358

707

680

672

449

394

389

384

936

324

80

6373

Otolaryngology (ENT)

1505

687

707

585

619

557

495

406

954

26

6541

Pain Relief

422

284

294

291

210

180

230

201

433

195

33

2773

Plastic Surgery

340

175

198

210

131

109

140

149

375

114

21

1962

Rheumatology

184

85

18

287

Small Volume Specialties

11

23548

*Small volume specialties include: Oncology & Ophthalmology

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Questions (590)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

590. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting fewer than 13 weeks following a referral for routine colonoscopy or OGD at the end of June 2019 or latest date available; and the number waiting more than 13 weeks. [30984/19]

View answer

Written answers

A national programme was established in mid-2016 to coordinate several activities to improve endoscopy services. The Endoscopy Programme is housed within the Acute Operations Division of the HSE and the programme is overseen by the National Endoscopy Steering Group. The programme team consists of a Clinical Lead, Training Lead, Nurse Lead and Programme Manager. The team are supported by the National Endoscopy Working Group.

The aim of the programme is to improve the delivery of endoscopy services across all Hospital Groups.

In relation to the specific question raised, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Nursing Education

Questions (591)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

591. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of postgraduate education programmes being provided for nurses and midwives. [30985/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this information is maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) I have referred the Deputy's question to the NMBI for attention and direct reply.

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