Written Answers Nos. 1195-1219
1195. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an occupational therapy and physiotherapy appointment for a person (details supplied); if the matter will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36211/19]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
1196. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an occupational therapy appointment will be scheduled urgently in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36213/19]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
1198. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if home help will be expedited for the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36215/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1199. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if there are dedicated, professionally trained and certified cybersecurity staff in respect of cybersecurity protocols under the remit of his Department; if such specialists are being recruited; if his Department maintains a risk register of security breaches; if so, if there are staff that analyse, log and maintain such a register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36230/19]
View answerWhile my Department does not release specific details in relation to staff employed for operational and security reasons, the expertise and qualifications of the staff in our ICT Unit covers a broad range of capabilities including Computer Science, Application Development and Cyber Security.
My Department implements a multi-layered approach to cyber security and to protecting our ICT systems, data and infrastructure. Contracts are in place with several external parties to provide preventative controls like firewalls, anti-virus and endpoint protection alongside an advanced network intrusion detection system.
A register of security breaches is maintained by the Security Officer. This is proactively monitored and measures are implemented to mitigate breaches in the future. ICT risks are recorded in the Departmental Risk Register with contingency plans in place to mitigate these.
My Department continues to engage with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) based in the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and receives regular updates from the State's national/governmental Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT-IE).
1200. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if his Department has a disaster recovery plan, business continuity plan and-or disaster recovery sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36246/19]
View answerMy Department has Incident Management (IM) and Technology Recovery plans (TR) in place.
A Departmental ICT Disaster Recovery Site is maintained in a public service data centre, which can provide key ICT services in the event of loss of access to the primary data centre.
Following the move to new headquarters last year and the consequent infrastructure and facility changes, the preparation of a tender is at an advanced stage for the provision of a Business Continuity Plan and for the updating of the IM and TR plans. The Business Continuity Plan will also address the wider issues of business processes outside of ICT.
1201. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the details and timeframe of a development (details supplied). [36253/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare services and infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
1202. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a bed will be made available for a person (details supplied) at a unit in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36255/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1203. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36260/19]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
1205. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of access to treatment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36276/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1206. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36277/19]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
1207. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of the report into the cost of hospital car parks across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36281/19]
View answerHospitals which charge parking fees are cognisant of the financial implications parking costs can have on patients and their families, particularly those with long-term illnesses. Some hospitals have introduced a maximum daily fixed parking charge, thus capping this expense. I understand that some hospitals also provide reduced rate parking for long-term patients and visitors for whom the payment of the full rate would cause hardship.
I have made it clear I want to see progress made in this area and I am working with my Department and the HSE in this regard. In March 2018, I requested the HSE to conduct a review of hospital car parking charges with a view to establishing clear national guidelines in the area. My Department and the HSE are currently engaging on a draft implementation plan to accompany the review report.
1209. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting for occupational therapy and physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36286/19]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
1210. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [36288/19]
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.
1211. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [36289/19]
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.
1212. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [36290/19]
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.
1213. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [36291/19]
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.
1214. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment for orthodontic treatment. [36292/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1215. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [36293/19]
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.
1216. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment. [36294/19]
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.
1217. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment for orthodontic treatment. [36295/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
1218. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number presenting at the accident and emergency department of Mayo University Hospital from January 2019 to date in comparison to the same period in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36297/19]
View answerThis is a very busy period for our health services, with many hospitals reporting significant numbers of patient attendances. For the first seven months of 2019, the number of patients attending hospital EDs increased by 3.3%, and the number of ED admissions increased by 2.3% compared to the same period last year.
Provisional TrolleyGAR figures show 9,138 people were counted on trolleys in August, 5% higher than last month (8,671) and 31% higher than August 2018 (6,997). Provisional trolley numbers for the year-to-date from January to August were 71,551, a 3% increase compared to 69,465 for the same period last year.
The HSE has advised that hospitals are reporting very high levels of demand, high patient acuity, and high bed occupancy, especially in the over 75-year old cohort of patients. In addition, delayed discharges are above the expected activity threshold set out in the National Service Plan. Hospitals and Community Health Organisations are reporting constrained options for supported discharges, particularly in relation to home support and long-term care.
The Department is engaging extensively with the HSE to identify mitigating actions to bring down trolley numbers and waiting times in the ED.
With regard to the Deputy's specific question, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with the requested information.
1219. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to the adult mental health unit at Mayo University Hospital in each of the years 2014 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36298/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
