Alan Kelly
Question:809. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of children with scoliosis on the operating waiting list, by hospital; and the number of those who have complex needs. [54949/23]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (809)
Written answers
As this is an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly. 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.
Question No. 810 answered with Question No. 779.
Health Services Staff
Questions (811)
Alan Kelly
Question:811. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant intervention cardiologists at Cork University Hospital in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [54951/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (812)
Seán Sherlock
Question:812. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1495 of 18 January 2023, what payments have been made per month to the company by the hospital in 2022 to date in 2023. [54953/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Medical Cards
Questions (813)
Alan Dillon
Question:813. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health how many discretionary medical cards were granted in Mayo in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54963/23]
View answerWritten answers
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, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Departmental Properties
Questions (814)
Ivana Bacik
Question:814. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant and derelict properties and sites that are owned by his Department; his plans to bring each of these properties and sites into use; where no plans are in place, the reasons why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55048/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter. 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.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (815)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:815. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will have his much-needed surgery carried out in Temple Street Hospital. [55058/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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 reply from the HSE.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (816)
Sean Fleming
Question:816. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding progress in relation to a project (details supplied) [55061/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter. 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.
Medical Aids and Appliances
Questions (817)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:817. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have a new scooter provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55076/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Questions (818)
Michael Lowry
Question:818. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 16 November 2023, concerning home birth services in north Tipperary and CHO3, when the services were suspended on a temporary basis in CHO3; when the external review of the home birth services commenced; how long is the external review expected to take; when the review will be completed and its findings made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55141/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
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 .
Ambulance Service
Questions (819)
Holly Cairns
Question:819. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the average response time of ambulances in west County Cork; the number of ambulances ordinarily based at each location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55183/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Policies
Questions (820)
Marian Harkin
Question:820. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health for an update on the establishment and operation of neuro-rehabilitations teams to be set up in every CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55198/23]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that this is a matter for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Departmental Priorities
Questions (821)
Cathal Crowe
Question:821. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health his main policy and legislative priorities for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55210/23]
View answerWritten answers
In terms of legislative priorities, I have recently finalised my draft 2024 legislative programme. My department's programme and the programmes of all other departments will be considered at Cabinet and once agreed, will be published online by the Office of the Chief Whip.
In terms of policy priorities, my goal is high quality, affordable healthcare for everyone when they need it – or universal healthcare. To achieve this, we have been following a clear plan. I have been increasing the capacity of our health service to treat patients while fundamentally reforming how and where that care is delivered. Our focus has been on reducing costs for patients, improving services for patients and speeding up access for patients. Inpatient hospital charges have been abolished, saving people up to €800 a year. Free contraception has been rolled out to women up to the age of 30. Half a million more adults and children are eligible to access free GP care. We have just introduced state-funded IVF for the first time. The maximum amount that people now pay on their monthly medicines bill has been cut from €124 to €80 per month under this government. We have allocated unprecedented funding to our national clinical strategies. Our healthcare workers are delivering a revolution in women’s healthcare. This includes opening of new menopause clinics, fertility hubs, specialist endometriosis centres, and same day see-and-treat gynaecology clinics all over the country. New treatments and services are becoming available for the first time in various areas, while existing services are being expanded in cancer care, maternity, trauma, home care, cardiology and in our ambulance service. Last year waiting lists fell for the first time since 2015. They will fall again this year and our focus is on the Sláintecare target (10/12 weeks). Since early 2020, we have added 24,000 healthcare workers, 6,889 extra nurses and midwives, 3,728 additional health and social care professionals and 2,769 extra doctors and dentists. We have increased acute hospital bed capacity by over 1,070 beds. We have significantly increased ICU bed capacity. We are also improving productivity in our health service. Improving access for patients; improving outcomes for patients; and improving the efficiency/productivity of our health service will be my priorities in 2024.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (822)
Niamh Smyth
Question:822. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has to wait 12 months for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55221/23]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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 reply from the HSE.
Home Care Packages
Questions (823)
Claire Kerrane
Question:823. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Roscommon and Galway, respectively, who submitted an application for home care to date in 2023; the number of applications that were approved; the number of persons in the counties waiting for care; and the average waiting time that they have been waiting for home care. [55225/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (824)
Sean Fleming
Question:824. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health to outline the position regarding the filling of new and replacement posts in a staff category in the HSE (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55229/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Health Services Staff
Questions (825)
Sean Fleming
Question:825. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health to outline his views in relation to the pausing of vacancies and the impact it can have on key locations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55233/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.