Written Answers Nos. 317-336
317. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for Sligo University Hospital, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number that were new posts; the number that were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number that were related to absence/leave cover. [51652/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
318. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for CHO1, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number that were new posts; the number that were replacement posts or vacant posts [51653/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
319. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers that have been withdrawn as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for Sligo University Hospital, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate. [51654/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
320. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers that have been withdrawn as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for CHO1, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate. [51655/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
321. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of the establishment of a primary care centre in Millstreet, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51656/23]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive (HSE) holds responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
322. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will consider lifting the recently announced HSE recruitment freeze; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51659/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
323. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the proposal to develop a 'surgical hub' in Limerick; the location of the preferred site; when he expects it to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51660/23]
View answerI have asked the HSE, as Sponsoring Agency with day-to-day responsibility for the delivery of the new Surgical Hub in Limerick, to respond to you directly in relation to the matters raised.
324. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for St. Vincent's University Hospital, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; the number that were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number that related to absence/leave cover. [51662/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
325. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of posts removed from profile as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for CHO6 and CHO7, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts and the WTE to which these relate; the number which were new posts; the number which were replacement posts or vacant posts; and the number which were related to absence/leave cover. [51663/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
326. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers that have been withdrawn as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for St. Vincent's University Hospital, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate. [51664/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
327. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of job offers that have been withdrawn as a result of memorandums (details supplied), by grade, for CHO6 and CHO7, in tabular form; the number of headcount posts; and the WTE to which these relate. [51665/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible
328. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health what discussions he has had with the HSE to ensure queries raised by Deputies on behalf of constituents will be answered in adequate time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51676/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes.
I acknowledge that this is frustrating for both Deputies and their constituents and I would urge all parties to work on resolving any disputes through the appropriate forums, and to uphold industrial peace in the interests of users of our health service. Officials from my Department and the HSE are available to engage further with staff representative bodies as necessary.
329. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if a letter of determination has been sent to the HSE outlining priorities and funding levels for 2024; if the details of this letter will be published; when the National Service Plan for 2024 is expected by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51678/23]
View answerFollowing the announcement of the budget allocation for my Department, I will shortly be issuing a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. This will be the basis on which the HSE will draw up its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2024. The HSE is required to prepare and submit an NSP within 21 days of receipt of the letter of determination. Once I have agreed and signed off on it, the NSP will be published in due course.
330. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health what steps have been taken under the National Drugs Strategy to ensure that drugs rehabilitation projects have the capacity and supports required to benefit from the ring-fenced T-coded CE places for those recovering from drug or alcohol addiction; and her views on the issue. [51680/23]
View answerIn Budget 2024, I secured an additional €4m (with 10 healthcare posts) to implement the national drugs strategy. The funding will be used to develop new services for young people with drug dependency and mental health issues, to expand community-based drug services for existing and emerging drug trends, to support people in recovery and to provide services for people with problem gambling and gaming.
See attached budget factsheet.
Questions on matters relating to the CE Programme could be directed to the Department of Social Protection which holds annual contracts with CE sponsor organisations.
331. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will get an appointment for orthodontic treatment; their current place on the waiting list; if there are any options available to expedite the treatment required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51696/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
332. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the current waiting times for orthodontic appointments for children in the public system across Laois/Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51697/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
333. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the total number of orthodontic vacancies within the HSE orthodontic services in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51698/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
334. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in Meath will be given a medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51703/23]
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.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result there may be a delay in the Deputy receiving a response directly from the HSE.
335. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on an application submitted by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51706/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
336. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the level of financial support approved by the HSE under the fair deal scheme for the care of a person (details supplied) will be applied from the date that inpatient care commenced on 17 September 2019 until their death; and if he will expedite the matter. [51716/23]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
