Peter Burke
Question:430. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if an assessment for a child (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53102/19]
View answerWritten Answers Nos. 430-447
430. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if an assessment for a child (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53102/19]
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.
431. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received the pension increments for 2018 and 2019 as promised in line with the national wage agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53107/19]
View answerI have requested the HSE to respond directly on this matter.
432. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of home support hours provided in each LHO area to the end of November 2019 or the latest date available; the way in which it compares to the target in each LHO for the same time period; the number of persons on the waiting list for home support hours in each LHO area; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to 12 and more than 12 months, in tabular form. [53113/19]
View answer433. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of older persons waiting for home support packages; and the waiting lists for homecare packages by CHO and LHO, in tabular form at the end of November 2019 or the latest date available. [53114/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 432 and 433 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
434. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on a non-hospital based health waiting list by the speciality and or procedure they are on the list for by LHO at the end of November 2019 or the latest date available. [53115/19]
View answerAs the question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
435. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting on a hospital based health waiting list by the speciality procedure they are on the list for; and the length of time they have been on same by hospital at the end of November 2019 or the latest date available. [53116/19]
View answerThe National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) currently collects and collates information in respect of the Inpatient, Day Case, Planned Procedure and Outpatient Waiting Lists.
The NTPF has advised that within the Irish Public Health System, patients are generally referred for Children’s hospital services up to the eve of their 16th birthday.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, the NTPF has provided the information requested in the tables attached which include patients between 16 and 18 years of age, to reflect patients who were under 18 on the 31st October 2019 according to the Date of Birth received from the relevant hospital.
Total IPDC Waiters Under 18 Years of Age by Group/Hospital/Specialty by Wait Time Band as at 31/10/2019
Sum of Total |
Time Band |
|||||||
Row Labels |
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-9 Months |
9-12 Months |
12-15 Months |
15-18 Months |
18+ Months |
Grand Total |
Bantry General Hospital |
7 |
1 |
8 |
|||||
Beaumont Hospital |
75 |
60 |
38 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
182 |
Cappagh National Orthopaedic Hospital |
31 |
5 |
8 |
4 |
11 |
4 |
1 |
64 |
Cavan General Hospital |
39 |
39 |
||||||
CHI at Crumlin |
816 |
596 |
334 |
311 |
201 |
105 |
342 |
2705 |
CHI at Tallaght |
180 |
155 |
79 |
35 |
24 |
7 |
103 |
583 |
CHI at Temple St |
473 |
206 |
155 |
94 |
48 |
40 |
61 |
1077 |
Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown |
7 |
2 |
1 |
10 |
||||
Cork University Hospital |
54 |
27 |
18 |
13 |
2 |
8 |
5 |
127 |
Cork University Maternity Hospital |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
Croom Orthopaedic Hospital |
7 |
7 |
||||||
Ennis Hospital |
5 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
||||
Galway University Hospitals |
221 |
111 |
74 |
47 |
35 |
35 |
108 |
631 |
Letterkenny University Hospital |
42 |
18 |
13 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
82 |
|
Lourdes Orthopaedic Hospital Kilcreene |
2 |
2 |
||||||
Louth County Hospital |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|||||
Mallow General Hospital |
1 |
1 |
||||||
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital |
14 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
28 |
|
Mayo University Hospital |
5 |
1 |
6 |
|||||
Mercy University Hospital |
45 |
15 |
13 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
82 |
|
Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar |
12 |
8 |
4 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
35 |
|
Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise |
5 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
||||
Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore |
90 |
14 |
1 |
105 |
||||
Naas General Hospital |
2 |
2 |
||||||
Nenagh Hospital |
22 |
24 |
8 |
6 |
1 |
61 |
||
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital Drogheda |
50 |
36 |
12 |
3 |
6 |
107 |
||
Our Lady's Hospital Navan |
4 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
9 |
|||
Portiuncula University Hospital |
5 |
3 |
8 |
|||||
Roscommon University Hospital |
1 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
||||
Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital |
51 |
23 |
10 |
13 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
111 |
Sligo University Hospital |
98 |
52 |
45 |
15 |
8 |
7 |
17 |
242 |
South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital |
99 |
35 |
20 |
8 |
4 |
2 |
168 |
|
South Tipperary General Hospital |
7 |
4 |
11 |
|||||
St. Columcille's Hospital |
5 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
||||
St. James's Hospital |
9 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
25 |
St. John's Hospital Limerick |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
||||
St. Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny |
5 |
4 |
1 |
10 |
||||
St. Michael's Hospital |
3 |
3 |
||||||
St. Vincent's University Hospital |
5 |
2 |
7 |
|||||
Tallaght University Hospital |
15 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
27 |
||
University Hospital Kerry |
7 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
16 |
||
University Hospital Limerick |
103 |
53 |
29 |
23 |
10 |
9 |
21 |
248 |
University Hospital Waterford |
91 |
42 |
25 |
22 |
5 |
7 |
13 |
205 |
Wexford General Hospital |
9 |
1 |
10 |
|||||
Grand Total |
2728 |
1529 |
901 |
622 |
382 |
238 |
684 |
7084 |
436. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans for the development of new hospitals in Cork; the status of progress; the timelines; the funding that has been ring-fenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53121/19]
View answerThe National Development Plan 2018-2027 outlines that new dedicated ambulatory/elective-only hospital facilities will be delivered in Dublin, Galway and Cork to tackle waiting lists and provide access to diagnostic services.
As is to be expected with a ten-year plan, many proposals, including the elective-only hospital in Cork, are at early stages and, in line with the Public Spending Code, will require to progress through appraisal, planning, design and tender stages before a firm location, timeline or funding required can be established.
The Sláintecare Action Plan for 2019 includes a commitment to develop criteria for new dedicated ambulatory elective-only hospital facilities. Detailed policy analysis to underpin this very significant health capital development is required to guide service and operational specifications for the new facilities. This work is currently being directed by an Elective Hospital Oversight Group, which draws upon international evidence, including the merits of stand-alone facilities or dedicated facilities on the site of a general hospital.
437. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the reason a swimming pool (details supplied) announced it is discontinuing the adult-only session each weekday morning between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.; and if this change is due to the funding or staff allocation for the facility being cut. [53131/19]
View answerAs 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.
438. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not received pension increments for 2018 and 2019 as promised in line with the national wage agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53138/19]
View answerI have requested the HSE to respond directly on this matter.
439. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health the progress on the Women’s Caucus period poverty motion passed by Dáil Éireann recently. [53141/19]
View answerPeriod poverty is defined as the inability to afford period products and is a significant equality and equity concern. Period products can be either disposable (sanitary towels, tampons and panty liners) or reusable (menstrual cups, cloth menstrual pads and period panties). In Ireland, sanitary towels and tampons are subject to zero percent VAT.
Motions on period poverty, proposed by the cross-party Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, were passed in the Dáil on Wednesday, March 13th, 2019, and in the Seanad on Wednesday March 27th, 2019. Amongst other things, these called on the Government to provide a range of free, adequate, safe and suitable sanitary products and accompanying information, to be distributed throughout all public buildings.
Following the Oireachtas motion, the matter was passed to the Strategy Committee for the National Strategy for Women and Girls (NSWG) . An NSWG Period Poverty Sub-Committee has been established to progress this further, is chaired by my Department and includes representation from a number of Government Departments, agencies and NGOs, including the National Women's Council of Ireland. The Sub-Committee has met three times to date; on 6th September, 17th October and 27th November, 2019.
Terms of reference have been agreed; the Sub-Committee’s initial priority is to establish the prevalence of period poverty in Ireland and the population cohorts most at risk. Other commitments for the sub-committee are to identify possible measures to address period poverty, and to consider how these could be mainstreamed across Government Departments, State agencies and other public bodies.
It is envisaged that the Sub-Committee will present its preliminary findings and conclusions to the full NSWG Strategy Committee in Q1-2, 2020. Following NSWG approval, the report will be submitted to the Minister for Equality, Deputy David Stanton, by the end of Q2, 2020 and will include recommendations regarding methods to address period poverty, in line with the motions passed by the Oireachtas. This will be considered by Government and decisions will be taken in terms of implementation at that point.
440. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if the recently appointed consultant psychiatrist in CHO9 will be providing mental health services to deaf persons in Cork city and county; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that deaf persons in Cork have been without the service since the retirement of the previous consultant psychiatrist who served the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53145/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
441. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he has received a request from organisations (details supplied) seeking a meeting; if the meeting will be scheduled as soon as possible in order to discuss matters pertaining to a recently finalised report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53163/19]
View answerMy office is in contact with the organisations referred to by the Deputy in order to arrange a meeting.
442. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the progress of the recommendations by the taskforce on youth mental health report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53168/19]
View answerThe National Youth Mental Health Task Force was established in response to an undertaking in the Programme for Partnership Government. The Task Force report was published in December 2017 and it was suggested that the time-frame for full implementation should be three years. The report made recommendations in 10 different themed areas. It also identified lead agencies associated with each recommendation that would be tasked with developing and/or implementing these as appropriate.
Since publication of the Task Force report, a number of the recommendations have been incorporated into the service plans of lead agencies for 2018/2019. The implementation of these recommendations has been on-going. A small number of recommendations require further consideration. It is anticipated that the majority of recommendations will be implemented by 2021. Related to this, approval is currently being sought from DPER to establish a Pathfinder inter-departmental unit on youth mental health.
In addition, the successor document to a Vision for Change also supports full implementation of outstanding Task Force recommendations before December 2020. A full list of updates on initiatives is attached for your information.
443. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health his plans to replace the only pain management consultant who is due to leave their post by the end of 2019 (details supplied); if his plans include an experienced replacement capable of continuing the clinics and ensuring appointments and prescriptions do not lapse; if the plans ensure immediate funding for a multidisciplinary team for pain management in the children’s hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53171/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Children's Health Ireland to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
444. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) cannot obtain approval for a zimmer frame; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53180/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
445. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health when the FreeStyle Libre sensor will be available for those over 21 years of age on the medical card who suffer from diabetes, as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53182/19]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
446. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of an autism assessment for a person (details supplied) [53187/19]
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.
447. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied there are adequate health services and facilities in place provide for the health and welfare needs of women with endometriosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53188/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.