Written Answers Nos. 576-589
576. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if the Minister is considering the repeal of the requirement for a consultant's signature to sign off on the prescribing of cariban, as some GPs feel that they should be able to prescribe this without there being a financial penalty to the woman (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42201/23]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for pricing and reimbursement decisions under the community schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
577. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the maximum bed capacity in Áras Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua each year from 2018 to 2023, in tabular form; the number of beds that are currently occupied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42203/23]
View answer578. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if respite and end of life care is currently provided in Áras Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua; if so, the number of respite spaces currently available; if not, when these services were terminated; what is being done with those bed spaces now; what analysis was conducted as the basis for ceasing the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42204/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 577 and 578 together.
As these are operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
579. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the reason there are significant delays in COS Scheme - Community Opthalmic Physicians employed by HSE. [42205/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
580. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has succeeded in recruiting a psychiatrist with responsibility for treating and supporting children with autism or intellectual disabilities in the Louth and Meath area at any point in 2023; if so, if the person in question is still in post; if not, when the specialist in question stood down, and for what reasons; how many children the psychiatrist saw during their tenure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42216/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
581. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children on the orthodontic treatment waiting list in each of the last 3 years and to date in 2023; to provide the data on 6-month incremental basis; to provide the data per CHO; to provide the data with reference to the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42218/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
582. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have availed of the cross-border directive scheme to receive orthodontic treatment in each of the last 3 years; to provide the data per CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42219/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
583. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the reasons why the dental hospital theatre list at CUH was suspended on 7 April 2023; if the reasons that caused the suspension have now been rectified to the extent that another suspension will not occur; if those on the waiting lists, both children and adults, will be fast tracked for treatment and if so what plan is in place; if students training for oral surgery and dental nurses will be provided with supports for exams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42222/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
584. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health to detail, in tabular form, the remuneration packages in place for each of the hospital group CEOs presently in position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42225/23]
View answerThe annualised rate of pay for the grade of Chief Executive Officer, Hospital Group is available to view online publicly, on Pg32 of the Department of Health consolidated salary scales here: www.gov.ie/en/circular/5ea29-department-of-health-circular-112023-application-of-pay-adjustments-for-1-october-2023/
A revised rate for new incumbents to the grade post 14th May 2018 was introduced, with the old rate remaining active for anyone in post prior to that date. Both are published on Pg32.
I have asked the HSE to provide anything additional to this, directly to the Deputy.
585. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health to outline his Department's position on CEOs of hospital groups undertaking other paid work activity or employment; if there are any limits or disbarments to additional earning activity outside of recognised group CEO activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42226/23]
View answerThe Department of Health publishes its consolidated salary scales online here: www.gov.ie/en/circular/5ea29-department-of-health-circular-112023-application-of-pay-adjustments-for-1-october-2023/
One Person One Salary
On Pg2 of that document, under the section entitled 'Compliance with Health Sector Pay Policy', item 4 is specifically in respect of the One Person One Salary principle. I attach supporting documents in respect of the One Person One Salary principal issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform.
586. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if, given that the advisory board of Southwest Hospital Group has been disbanded for some time, he can outline what oversight and governance is in place at SSWHG to decide performance and remuneration parameters applying to the executive management, roles and functions; if he is comfortable that relevant governance is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42227/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
587. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Health if, given the recent media revelations regarding various benefit in-kind payments allocated to senior public-funded roles including the reimbursement of motor car BIK, he can give undertakings that the chief executive roles of hospital groups are not receiving any such like or additional benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42228/23]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of this matter.
588. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health how many recruitment processes for a clinical lead in any area of the Irish health service initiated since 8 February 2020 to date have not included among the job specifications a requirement of clinical experience in the relevant area; if he will list the recruitment processes that did not include the requirement of clinical experience.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42252/23]
View answerAs this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
589. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person will receive an appointment (details supplied); if they have been graded as urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42253/23]
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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
