Parliamentary questions

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

346. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be transferred to COPE. [23275/16]

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Billy Kelleher

348. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form, based on local health office and area and indicating those of 16 years of age and under and those over 16 years of age, the numbers waiting for orthodontic treatment at the latest date for which information is available. [23305/16]

General Practitioner Data

Billy Kelleher

349. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form for each local health area the number of general practitioner vacancies. [23306/16]

Hospital Staff Data

Billy Kelleher

350. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to detail in tabular form the most up-to-date figures for the number of vacant positions in each public-voluntary hospital in the following categories: consultants, non-consultant hospital doctors, nursing positions, other health and social care professionals and management-administration and general support staff. [23307/16]

Ambulance Service Data

Billy Kelleher

351. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form, indicating the HSE region and subdivided by every 50,000 miles or 80,000 km, the distances that have been travelled by emergency ambulances currently in service; the distances that have been travelled by intermediate care ambulances currently in service; the distances that have been travelled by rapid response vehicles currently in service in such a capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23308/16]

Ambulance Service Data

Billy Kelleher

352. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form, for each ambulance station in each month in the year to April 2015, the percentage of clinical status 1 ECHO instances responded to by first responder in seven minutes and 59 seconds or less; and the percentage of clinical status 1 DELTA instances responded to by a person-carrying vehicle in seven minutes and 59 seconds or less. [23309/16]

Ambulance Service Data

Billy Kelleher

353. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular format the number of ambulance attendances at each emergency department nationwide in June 2016 or the latest calendar month available; the number of such ambulances that waited longer than 20 minutes to hand over patients, get their trolleys back and return to responding to calls; the number that waited longer than 40 minutes for same; the number that waited longer than 60 minutes for same; the number that waited longer than 90 minutes for same; the number that waited more than 120 minutes for same; and the number that waited more than 180 minutes for same. [23310/16]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

354. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the progress made in implementing each of the 31 recommendations in the 2011 HSE report, Time to Move on from Congregated Settings; the timeframe for full implementation of the recommendations in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23311/16]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Billy Kelleher

355. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the primary care centre projects announced on 17 July 2012; the current status of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23312/16]

Hospital Beds Data

Billy Kelleher

356. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the number of beds and wards in hospitals (details supplied); the number of those beds and wards that are currently closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23313/16]

Hospital Procedures

Billy Kelleher

357. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the number of operations or procedures that have been cancelled or postponed in each public hospital to date in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23314/16]

Hospital Procedures

Billy Kelleher

358. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the number of operations or procedures that have been cancelled or postponed in each voluntary hospital to date in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23315/16]

Hospital Procedures

Billy Kelleher

359. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of procedures the Health Service Executive procured from private or independent hospitals to date in 2016; the amount spent by the Health Service Executive on these procedures in private or independent hospitals to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23316/16]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Billy Kelleher

360. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form for each public hospital the number of critical care beds in each of the years 2011 to 2015 and the latest figure for 2016. [23317/16]

Hospital Staff Data

Billy Kelleher

361. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form for each public or voluntary hospital with an accident and emergency department the number of emergency medicine consultants in each; and the number of each that have an emergency medicine consultant available daily on a 24-hour basis. [23318/16]

Hospitals Data

Billy Kelleher

362. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form, broken down by each public or voluntary hospital, the revenue raised between 1 January 2016 and 30 June 2016 from charges for private patients in public beds; the same details for the first six months of 2013, 2014 and 2015; to provide in tabular form, broken down by each public or voluntary hospital, the number of procedures from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016 in each hospital which has treated private patients in public beds and the equivalent figures for the first six months of 2013, 2014 and 2015; and the number of applications for payment by the insurer that were submitted by each hospital for such procedures carried out between 1 January 2016 and 30 June 2016, and the same timeframe in 2013, 2014 and 2015. [23319/16]

HSE Staff

Billy Kelleher

363. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of staff at national director level, assistant national director level, general manager level and grade VIII level in the Health Service Executive on 1 July 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and to date in 2016. [23320/16]

Medical Card Data

Billy Kelleher

364. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards as of 1 July 2016; the number of general practitioner cards on the same date; and the number of each type of card issued on a discretionary basis on that date. [23321/16]

Home Care Packages Data

Billy Kelleher

365. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the number of home help hours provided in each local health office area for every month to date in 2016; and, for every month and each local health office, the way it compares against target. [23322/16]

Health Services Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

366. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health with regard to the once-off revenue measures of €330 million announced for the health budget in 2015, the amount of this revenue that has been raised in 2015 and the sources of same. [23323/16]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data

Billy Kelleher

367. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form for each local health area the numbers of persons currently awaiting placement under the fair deal scheme; and the waiting time. [23324/16]

Hospital Facilities

Billy Kelleher

368. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out MRI scans; the number of persons waiting as of 1 July 2016 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals for the following periods: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to 12 months; more than 12 months. [23325/16]

Hospital Facilities

Billy Kelleher

369. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out CT scans; the number of persons waiting as of 1 July 2016 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals for the following periods: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to 12 months; more than 12 months. [23326/16]

Hospital Facilities

Billy Kelleher

370. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out bone scans; the number of persons waiting as of 1 July 2016 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals for the following periods: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to 12 months; more than 12 months. [23327/16]

Hospital Facilities

Billy Kelleher

371. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out angiograms; the number of persons waiting as of 1 July 2016 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals for the following periods: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to 12 months; more than 12 months. [23328/16]

Hospital Facilities

Billy Kelleher

372. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out electroencephalograms, EEG; the number of persons waiting as of 1 July 2016 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals for the following periods: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to 12 months; more than 12 months. [23329/16]

Hospital Services

Billy Kelleher

373. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form the number of public or voluntary hospitals that carry out endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, ERCP; and the number of persons waiting as of 1 July 2016 or the nearest available date for such a procedure at each of the hospitals for the following periods: less than three months; three months to six months; six months to nine months; nine months to 12 months; and more than 12 months. [23330/16]

Medical Card Data

Billy Kelleher

374. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form, at the end of June 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 for each local health area, the number of over-70s medical cards in circulation. [23331/16]

Travel Trade Sector

Billy Kelleher

423. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in view of regulations that travel agency and tour operator bonds are only used when a company is unable to meet its commitments, either when the company has no funds to pay its commitments, or when the company refuses to pay its commitments and the Commission for Aviation Regulation insist payment is due, if it is the case that these are the points when the bond can be called upon by the Commission for Aviation Regulation. [23241/16]

Travel Trade Sector

Billy Kelleher

424. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedures followed by the Commission for Aviation Regulation if existing travel agency and tour operator companies do not apply for a licence. [23242/16]

Travel Trade Sector

Billy Kelleher

425. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if, and when, there is a dispute between the Commission for Aviation Regulation and an agent operator, since the commission is answerable to the Houses of the Oireachtas, does it consult with another body before making a decision on how to proceed. [23243/16]

Travel Trade Sector

Billy Kelleher

426. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Commission for Aviation Regulation can exercise its authority for the issuing or non-issuing of a travel licence to a tour operator or travel agent and the criteria set down in legislation or guidelines to obtain such a licence. [23244/16]

Travel Trade Sector

Billy Kelleher

427. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason it might be necessary for the Commission for Aviation Regulation to request additional funds, on top of the prescribed fee, for a travel agent or tour operator who is renewing their existing licence; if the operator is subsequently asked by the commission to provide additional funds in order to renew their licence; the circumstances where this applies, when all necessary documentation and other criteria have been submitted; and in a scenario where no licence is issued, if a refund of those fees would be given to the operator; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23245/16]

Travel Trade Sector

Billy Kelleher

428. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of bonds that have been exercised by the Commission for Aviation Regulation over the past five years; and the details of the circumstances of each case. [23246/16]

Travel Trade Sector

Billy Kelleher

429. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of applicants that have applied for travel agent licences; the number of persons that applied for tour operator licences; the amount each was charged, gross figure and broken down per charge or fee levy, giving reason for each payment; the number that were declined per category and breakdown provided stating reason for refusal highlighting if they were new applicants or existing, in tabular form, for the past ten years. [23247/16]

Hospital Groups

Billy Kelleher

557. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if discussions between the Ireland East Hospital Group, IEHG, and the HSE acute hospitals division to address the disparity in funding sought by IEHG to address service requirements and planned and approved developments, including the winter initiative, the new developments in counties Wexford and Kilkenny as well as full costs associated with the establishment of the pancreatic transplant service to St. Vincent's University Hospital and full year costs of 2015 developments, with the actual allocation received in 2016, have been concluded with an outcome that was satisfactory to IEHG; and the details of the outcome of the discussions. [21931/16]

Hospital Staff Data

Billy Kelleher

558. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time approved emergency medicine consultant posts in each public and voluntary hospital in tabular form. [21932/16]

Home Help Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

635. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) who was awarded a home care package is having their home help hour withdrawn leaving them without any assistance; if their time will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22344/16]

Public Sector Pensions

Billy Kelleher

643. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to sanction the inclusion of the CRC workers into the SPSPS with equivalent benefits; when this decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22370/16]

Hospitals Funding

Billy Kelleher

214. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 605 of 14 April 2016 (details supplied), if he will provide in view of the recent Supplementary Estimate for health, updated figures of the budget allocation for 2016 for each public and voluntary hospital in tabular form [21870/16]

Antimicrobial Resistance

Billy Kelleher

557. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his progress in drafting the national action plan on antimicrobial resistance; if this plan will be subject to public and industry stakeholder consultation and if not, why not; if he is satisfied that with less than one year to go before the completion of the plan the interdepartmental group established to examine and draft this report has not consulted with wider expert stakeholders outside of the Health Service Executive and his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21013/16]

Medicinal Products Prices

Billy Kelleher

558. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views that the new medicines pricing agreement will act as a biosimilars blocker, due to a clause which states that biologics will only be reimbursed at a price 30% less than the current level, and only when competitor biosimilar medicines enter the market; his further views that this cannot occur, as biosimilars will financially be prevented from entering the market, as it would be unsustainable to lower their price further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21014/16]

Medicinal Products Prices

Billy Kelleher

559. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views that the new medicines pricing agreement will lead to cost savings in respect of existing biologic, high-technology medicines, given that a lower reimbursement price for biologics will not be possible due to an inability for biosimilars to enter the market; the reason for introducing a clause into the agreement which links the reimbursement price of biologics to the biosimilars entering the market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21015/16]

Medicinal Products Prices

Billy Kelleher

560. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views that the price of two of the largest medicines supplied by the Health Service Executive, Humira and Enbrel, at a cost of €160 million per year, will not experience significant price reduction when their patents fall in 2017, as a direct result of the terms of the forthcoming medicine pricing agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association, because the terms in this agreement will prevent effective post-patent competition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21016/16]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Billy Kelleher

570. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had their second operation put on hold despite the money being in place and the surgeon being able to schedule the urgent operation as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21075/16]

General Practitioner Contracts

Billy Kelleher

578. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he will meet and engage with the National Association of General Practitioners on a new contract for its members; his views that the 1,600 members' views and input are essential to advancing and expanding free general practitioner care, in line with the commitments in the programme for Government. [21145/16]

Medicinal Products Reimbursement

Billy Kelleher

602. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the status of the drug Translarna; when he will make a decision as to whether to include it in the reimbursement list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21220/16]

Medical Card Reviews

Billy Kelleher

606. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the clinical advisory group on medical cards will report its final recommendations to him; when the interim report which was given to the Minster for Health last summer will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21239/16]

Medical Card Reviews

Billy Kelleher

607. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if, in line with the commitment in the programme for Government, he has requested the clinical advisory group on medical cards to examine the guidelines for awarding discretionary medical cards for persons undergoing treatment for cancer; and when he expects this review to be complete. [21240/16]

Medical Card Eligibility

Billy Kelleher

608. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health to outline the primary care reimbursement service’s guidelines for awarding discretionary medical cards to cancer patients; and if cancer patients applying for a discretionary card are given an additional weekly means allowance. [21241/16]