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Tuesday, 23 Jul 2019

Written Answers Nos. 1907-1929

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (1907)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1907. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Cork in respect of cataract surgery and orthopaedic surgery. [34328/19]

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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.

Addiction Treatment Services

Questions (1908)

Brendan Smith

Question:

1908. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided to the HSE to enable the commencement of a service (details supplied) in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34329/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Services

Questions (1909)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1909. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the services for patients with secondary lymphoedema provided by Beaumont Hospital; the plans the HSE has to improve these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34330/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (1910)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1910. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital projects, by individual project, funded to date in 2019 from the €279 million of gross capital expenditure in his Vote group to the end of June 2019 as per the Exchequer returns, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34337/19]

View answer

Written answers

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to outline the capital projects it has funded in the first half of 2019.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (1911)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1911. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to and if he has sanctioned capital spending commitments made by Votes and agencies under his remit to date in 2019; if there is a record of each spending commitment; the details of each project spend to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34338/19]

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Written answers

The Government provided the Health Service Executive with a capital allocation of €642m in 2019 for  construction, works, refurbishments, buildings fit-out, equipping etc. of healthcare infrastructure.   

I have asked the HSE to provide the Deputy directly with details of its capital expenditure by project in the first half of 2019.

Capital Expenditure Programme

Questions (1912, 1913)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1912. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital projects he sought funding for, were sanctioned and funding provided, respectively, as part of the Estimates process for budget 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34339/19]

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Alan Kelly

Question:

1913. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if his Department submitted a list of capital spending projects for 2019 to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in advance of budget 2019; the way in which the capital spending allocation was decided for his departmental group of Votes in 2019; if he had to outline in advance his spending priorities; the projects he sought sanction for in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34340/19]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1912 and 1913 together.

Project Ireland 2040 and the National Development Plan 2018 - 2027 determined the capital funding available for the public health sector which is €10,900m over the period of the plan. In the National Development Plan €10.9 billion in funding was allocated to the health sector over the 10 years to 2027. This represents a 165% increase in the capital funding provided over the previous 10 years. The capital allocations for the health sector over the years to 2022 were published in the plan.

It is important to note that neither the Department nor the Minister has a role in the approval of individual capital projects.

The HSE is responsible for the delivery and management of public healthcare infrastructure. Each capital project is appraised, managed, approved and progressed in accordance with the HSE’s Capital Projects Manual and Approval Protocol which adheres to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and the Public Spending Code.

The Minister for Health is responsible for approval of the Health Service Executive’s capital plans, in accordance with the Health Act 2004. The HSE Capital Plan determines the projects that can progress in any given year having regard to the total available capital funding and the relevant priority of each project. All Health capital projects at various stages of development are considered as part of this process. In developing its Capital Plan, the HSE must consider a range of issues including the expenditure that is contractually committed and the annual requirement in relation to meeting risks associated with clinical equipment, ambulances and healthcare infrastructure.

My Department is continuing to work with the Health Service Executive to finalise as soon as possible a capital plan for 2019.

National Children's Hospital Expenditure

Questions (1914)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1914. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital expenditure spend to date for the national children's hospital in 2019; the expected full year spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34341/19]

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Written answers

In terms of funding the new Children’s Hospital project this year, €250m is currently profiled for the new Children's Hospital project in 2019.

At the end of June 2019, €97.152m capital funding has been drawn down in respect of the new Children's Hospital project.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Questions (1915)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1915. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital expenditure spend to date for the new national maternity hospital in 2019; the expected full year spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34342/19]

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.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Questions (1916)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1916. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital expenditure spend to date in 2019 for the new 50-bed ward block at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe; the expected full year spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34343/19]

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.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Questions (1917)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1917. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital expenditure spend to date in 2019 for a second cardiac catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford; the expected full year spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34344/19]

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 Appointments Status

Questions (1918)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1918. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a hip operation will be carried out for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34348/19]

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.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Questions (1919)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1919. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital expenditure spend to date in 2019 for the 60-bed modular ward block and the 96-bed inpatient block, respectively, at University Hospital Limerick; the expected full year spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34357/19]

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.

Primary Care Centres Expenditure

Questions (1920)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1920. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital expenditure spend to date in 2019 for primary care centres by location; the expected full year spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34358/19]

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.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Questions (1921)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1921. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital expenditure spend to date in 2019 for long-term residential care facilities by location; the expected full year spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34359/19]

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.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Questions (1922)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1922. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital expenditure commitment to date in 2019 for a new emergency department and cystic fibrosis facilities, respectively, at Beaumont Hospital; the expected full year spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34360/19]

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.

Capital Expenditure Programme Implementation

Questions (1923)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1923. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the capital projects to be funded from the remaining capital balance available to his departmental group of Votes at the end of June 2019 of €394 million factoring in the capital expenditure to date of €279 million, in tabular form; if €667 million was available as per the Revised Estimates of 2019 and the €65 million from the further Revised Estimate of 2019; if allocations have been made for capital projects and managers have been provided with sanction to pursue projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34361/19]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is continuing to work with the Health Service Executive to finalise as soon as possible a capital plan for 2019. 

The plan will include capital projects to be funded in 2019 and beyond, having regard to the available capital funding and the number of large national capital projects currently under way.

All the capital funding available in 2019 will be invested in the public health services in respect of major projects currently in construction, contractually committed projects and priority capital projects and programmes throughout 2019.

HSE Planning

Questions (1924)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1924. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the publication of the HSE capital plan for 2019 until August 2019; the way in which capital spending commitments already made to date in 2019 were determined; the persons that decided on the commitment of funding; if other projects have been delayed due to the lack of a plan or sanction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34362/19]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is continuing to work with the Health Service Executive to finalise as soon as possible a capital plan for 2019.

The HSE is responsible for the delivery and management of public healthcare infrastructure. Each capital project is appraised, managed, approved and progressed in accordance with the HSE’s Capital Projects Manual and Approval Protocol which adheres to the Public Spending Code.

Projects that were in construction and contractually committed continued throughout the first half of 2019.

Health Services Staff Data

Questions (1925)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1925. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies across the health service at present by position, hospital and CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34363/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Health Services Staff Data

Questions (1926)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1926. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in the health service; if his Department tracks the number of recruitments on a monthly or annual basis in the service; the sources of data for vacancies, recruitments and retirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34364/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Health Services Staff Data

Questions (1927)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1927. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of retirements in the health service to date in 2019 by position in tabular form; if each specific position has been filled following each retirement; if those replacements have been sanctioned; the number of vacant positions due to retirements from 2018 and earlier that have not been filled to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34365/19]

View answer

Written answers

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

Health Services Staff Data

Questions (1928)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1928. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of promotions in the HSE and across the health service that have been delayed due to the recruitment embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34366/19]

View answer

Written answers

There is no recruitment embargo or moratorium in the health service at present.

The HSE are required to operate within their allocated budget in line with the National Service Plan approved for 2019, but will proceed with the filling of posts associated with new developments while ensuring the safe delivery of services.

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

Healthcare Policy

Questions (1929)

Alan Kelly

Question:

1929. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the detailed costings determined to date by his Department for the introduction and operation of a free contraception service; the details and documentation of the analysis and research conducted on the way in which such a service would be provided and operated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34367/19]

View answer

Written answers

A Working Group has been established to  consider the range of policy, regulatory and legislative issues arising in relation to improving access to contraception.  The group is working to the following Terms of Reference:

- To conduct a rapid review of national and international literature on contraception and associated issues;

- To specifically examine the extent to which cost is a barrier to accessing reliable methods of contraception in Ireland and to consider whether there are other factors influencing access to contraception that could be addressed;

- To examine mechanisms to address any access issues identified, including financial, legislative, regulatory and contractual issues, as well as any other relevant matters;

- To consult with relevant stakeholders; and

- To make recommendations to the Minister on the optimal policy options and next steps.

A public consultation process is ongoing, and the Group is also engaged in research, including consideration of potential cost issues.  The Group will continue its deliberations over the coming weeks before reporting to the Minister at the end of September.

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