Written Answers Nos. 1348-1367
1348. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when the 96-bed unit currently under construction at University Hospital Limerick will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12149/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1349. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the progress being made in the construction of the second 96-bed unit at University Hospital Limerick; when construction will be finished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12150/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1350. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when the 96-bed unit, scheduled for construction at University Hospital Limerick will be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12151/24]
View answerAs 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.
1351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if orthodontic treatment will be facilitated for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12152/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1352. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if orthodontic treatment will be facilitated for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12153/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1353. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to establish a commissioner for ageing and older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12202/24]
View answerIn furtherance of the commitment in the Programme for Government, on 3 October 2023 the Government approved the proposal, which the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, and I brought forward, for the establishment of an independent Commission on Care for Older People. €1.243 million was allocated in Budget 2024 to support the Commission’s work.
On 14 December 2023 the Minister for Health and I announced the appointment of Professor Alan Barrett (Chief Executive Officer, Economic and Social Research Institute) as the Chairman of the Commission. On 29 February 2024 we announced the appointment of the other members of the Commission, all of whom are also independent experts.
The Commission will examine the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and make recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. Subsequently a Cross-Departmental Group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the life course are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports. Accordingly, it is envisaged that consideration of matters such as whether there is a need to establish a commissioner for ageing and older people, and the fiscal viability of this, will fall within the Commission’s remit.
1354. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment with the orthodontic department in St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12211/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1355. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that there are almost 200,000 people suffering from illness relating to eating disorders and that there are huge barriers to access proper treatment, as there are no dedicated public specialist units outside the three beds in St. Vincent's Hospital and these are catchment based; when the Eating Disorder Model of Care plan 2018 will be fully implemented; and what arrangements will be put in place for Limerick and the midwest. [12218/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1356. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health to provide details of the patient discharge policy operating in St. Vincent's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12219/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1357. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the long waiting lists for child dental and orthodontic services in St. Finbarr's County Cork, and if he plans to introduce measures to alleviate same. [12233/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1358. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the total number of children on a waiting list for their first appointment to CAMHS in the CHO6 area; and the number of those waiting more than six months. [12248/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1359. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health in light of a care facility (details supplied) declaring that diabetes care for type 1 diabetes in Letterkenny University Hospital is in crisis, if he plans to address the situation; if he will meet with stakeholders to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12252/24]
View answerDiabetes is a complex condition that can require management across the entire spectrum of healthcare delivery, including self-management support as well as care delivered through general practice, community specialist care and hospital inpatient specialist care.
I am aware of the needs of the diabetes community and the challenges faced by those living with the condition. Officials in my Department are engaging with the HSE Diabetes clinical team in consideration of the future development of diabetes related services.
With respect to the specific matter 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, 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.
1360. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if further financial support can be granted to a community addiction group (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12255/24]
View answerAs this refers to a service matter, I have sent this PQ to the HSE for direct response. 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.
1361. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he is aware that people who have become ill and debilitated with long-Covid, contracted while delivering essential services during the pandemic, face the cut-off of their pay continuation scheme at the end of March; and if he can make arrangements to extend this cover. [12288/24]
View answerIn the public health sector, a temporary Special Scheme has been in place since July 2022 to provide special leave with pay for eligible staff in respect of Long Covid. Sanction to extend the Special Scheme has been granted a number of times by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP and Reform (DPENDPR), however it will conclude as planned on 31st March 2024 and DPENDPR have been clear that no further extensions will be granted. Employees impacted by the conclusion of the Special Scheme will have received an individual notification of this from their employer.Any employee of the public health sector remaining unwell after that date, may utilise the full provisions of the Public Service Sick Leave Scheme which will provide further support.The sick leave scheme provides full pay for three months, followed by half pay for three months, and after that, Temporary Rehabilitative Remuneration may be applied for, which, if granted, provides up to a further 547 days of paid leave. The Critical Illness Protocol that forms part of the sick leave scheme may also provide additional supports if granted.
1362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the eligibility for a medical card in the case of children (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12290/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
1363. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health the reason neuro physiotherapy services are not available in the mid-west (details supplied). [12293/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1364. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12294/24]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1365. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he plans to open new rounds of funding under a walking tracks initiative (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12297/24]
View answerIn 2022 and 2023, funding was provided to support a total of 106 GAA Clubs, following a competitive process, to upgrade existing walking tracks helping to promote physical activity at club level. One of the key elements of the project is to encourage clubs to make their facilities available to non-playing members. The provision of walking tracks is particularly important in rural areas where safe, well-lit walking routes may be limited.
Following on from the success of the GAA Club Walking Tracks funding, additional funding was allocated for 2024 to explore how the project can be expanded. The scoping for the next phase is currently underway and it is envisaged that there will be an agreed plan by the end of Q2.
1366. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the continued closure of the former health centre (details supplied); if his Department proposes to bring this building back into use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12304/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1367. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health who is responsible for securing funding for a person who has been approved for a place but waiting on funding to be approved for residential care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12311/24]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
