Written Answers Nos. 390-414
390. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the capital works programmes planned for Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9 for the remainder of 2019 and 2020; the estimated cost of each project; and when works on each capital project will commence. [43401/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the public healthcare facilities and infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
391. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the policies and procedures in place and adopted regarding tendering and awarding of contracts of service in terms of minor construction, mechanical and electrical projects, including technical services for maintenance and minor capital projects, at both Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and the Louth County Hospital, Dundalk; if he will provide a list of each such contracts, that is, contracts of service in terms of minor construction, mechanical and electrical projects including technical services for maintenance and minor capital projects at both hospitals in each of the years 2013 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the names of the companies to which the contracts were awarded; the value of each contract in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43411/19]
View answer394. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding tendering or the awarding of contracts of contracts at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. [43414/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 391 and 394 together.
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.
392. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time posts, that is, permanent whole-time equivalent, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and Louth County Hospital, Dundalk within the maintenance and technical services department; the number and nature, that is, description of the roles and grades, groups and categories of these positions from January 2013 to October 2019; the cost of each position filled by contract and agency for both hospitals in tabular form; if it is policy at both hospitals to outsource contracts for labour and services rather than retain in-house positions and by means of upskilling existing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43412/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
393. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the process deployed on the decision to outsource the work of the laundry service located at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; the number of meetings that took place between staff and or their representatives and management as part of this process; the agreements made between both parties before and in the intervening period; the details of outstanding issues regarding the closure of the service to staff and or other services within the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43413/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
395. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the nature and context of the current dispute at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, between craft workers in the maintenance and technical services department and management over the provision of tools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43415/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
396. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the details of the extra amount given to mental health services in budget 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43423/19]
View answer398. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the extra amount to be allocated to mental health services in 2020 which is for new services [43426/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 398 together.
HSE Mental Health services will receive €1.026 billion in funding in 2020, an increase of €315m since 2012, and an increase of €39m over 2019.
The additional €39m increase to the Mental Health Services budget includes €13m for the continued rollout of new developments in 2020. The nature of these will be determined in discussions on the 2020 National Service Plan between the Department of Health and the HSE. It is expected, however, that priority will be given to the development of the new National Forensic hospital in Portrane and progression of the refreshed ‘A Vision for Change’, Ireland’s national mental health policy. The refresh will provide a way forward for mental health services for the next decade. In addition to the above, €12m from 2019 new developments will also be available to fund these developments as it will not be spent on an ongoing basis in 2019.
Additionally, €26m has been allocated for other costs, including pay, which will be used to maintain funding and enhance existing services. This includes CAMHs, where we have reduced the waiting list by around 500 since December 2018 to around 2,000 today. In addition, work will continue on mental health Clinical Programmes, such as those on eating disorders and ADHD, service upgrades, improving 7-days-a-week access, Counselling in Primary Care and services and progressing e-mental health initiatives.
397. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding home help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43425/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
399. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health if there was finding unspent from 2019 in the mental health services; if so, the amount; and the location in which this funding was provided. [43427/19]
View answerBudget 2019 provided an additional €55m for mental health services. €33m has been drawn down, while a further €10m is awaiting sanction.
The management of the remaining €12m funding for 2019 will be agreed with the HSE in the coming weeks.
400. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a patient (details supplied) at University Hospital Kerry can expect to be brought to Cork University Hospital to have a pacemaker fitted. [43429/19]
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.
401. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if the file of a person (details supplied) can be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43437/19]
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.
402. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number and location of respite care beds available for elderly persons in County Kildare; the number available in each of the years 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019 and predicted beds in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43438/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
403. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to provide a second CT scanner for University Hospital Limerick which would alleviate some of the overcrowding in the emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43443/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
404. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 244 of 8 October 2019, if patients in need of an upright scan will be allowed to reclaim the full cost of treatment in the UK which is not recoverable under either the treatment abroad scheme or cross border directive in view of the fact that the only available scanner is in a private clinic in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43444/19]
View answerAs the provision of specific services in the acute hospital setting are an operational matter for the HSE, I have asked the HSE to consider the matter raised by the Deputy and to respond to him directly.
405. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the way in which the budget for the recently announced €2 million autism awareness plan will be spent; if there will be a reduction in the budget for autism services due to the awareness plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43473/19]
View answer406. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if the school age team for the Dublin 15 area is without an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, social worker or access to psychiatry; if so, the steps being taken to address the shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43474/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together.
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.
407. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the way in which he and the HSE plans to provide the appropriate support and services to ASD units which will open in a number of schools in Dublin 15 in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43475/19]
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.
408. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the HSE gross hospital expenditure on drugs and medicines between 2015 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43486/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
409. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when respite care will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43488/19]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
410. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 396 of 19 February 2019, when the HSE will apply for an extension of duration of permission on the planning that was granted. [43492/19]
View answerThe Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare services and infrastructure projects. The HSE has advised that an application for the extension of the planning permission in respect of the Primary Care Centre on Curlew Road, Drimnagh has been lodged with Dublin City Council and the outcome is awaited.
It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement, before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.
411. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the reason information (details supplied) is on the HSE website under the homecare section. [43502/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
412. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of personalised budgeting for persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43503/19]
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.
413. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the status of the governance discussions based on the Mulvey report of the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street when it transfers to the St. Vincent's hospital site; the areas that will be covered outside the Mulvey report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43505/19]
View answerThe governance arrangements for the new National Maternity Hospital on the St Vincent's University Hospital campus will be based on the provisions of the Mulvey Agreement. The Mulvey Agreement, which was an agreement between the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) and the St Vincent's Healthcare Group (SVHG), was finalised in November 2016 following extensive mediation discussions.
The terms of the Mulvey Agreement provide for the establishment of a new company - National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC- which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.
In line with the Mulvey Agreement, the Board of the National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC will comprise 9 directors; 4 nominated by SVHG, 4 by NMH, and 1 will be an international expert in obstetrics and gynaecology. Given the level of State investment, I have sought, and received, the agreement of both the NMH and SVHG that the Board of the new NMH DAC will be competency-based and will include a Public Interest representative.
The SVHG has confirmed the process by which the Religious Sisters of Charity will withdraw from the Group and transfer their shareholding to a new company St Vincent’s Holdings CLG. The Sisters have of course, already resigned from the Group’s Board. I am advised that Revenue has approved the proposed revisions to the constitution of SVHG and the Group continues to engage with the Charities Regulator in relation to the constitution of St Vincent’s Holdings CLG.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is engaging with the SVHG, the NMH and the HSE in relation to the legal framework which will be put in place to protect the State's significant investment in the new hospital. The overall framework being put in place will unequivocally copper-fasten the principle that patient care in the new hospital will be delivered without religious, ethnic or other distinction and that any medical procedure which is in accordance with the laws of the land will be carried out there.
414. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the way in which he plans to protect the significant investment of the State in the new maternity hospital on the St. Vincent's hospital site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43506/19]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, following the finalisation of the Mulvey Agreement in November 2016, concerns were raised regarding the need to protect the State's significant investment in the new hospital, in circumstances where the new hospital will be built on a voluntary hospital campus. In that context, considerable work has been undertaken to develop a legal framework that ensures that the new hospital will remain in State ownership.
My Department continues to engage with the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group, the National Maternity Hospital and the HSE to develop a legal framework to protect the State’s significant investment in the new hospital. The St Vincent’s Healthcare Group has agreed in principle to provide the State with a 99-year lease of the land upon which the new maternity hospital will be built, and this will allow the State to retain ownership of the new facility. The State will, in turn, provide an Operating Licence to the NMH DAC and the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group to enable the provision of health services in the newly constructed building.
The overall framework being put in place will unequivocally copper-fasten the principle that patient care in the new hospital will be delivered without religious, ethnic or other distinction and that any medical procedure which is in accordance with the laws of the land will be carried out there.
