Parliamentary questions

Disability Allowance Appeals

Michael Lowry

564. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the interim arrangements in place for the office of disability appeals and the position of the disability appeals officer; when all completed determinations and reasons for decisions reports from the office of disability appeals officer will be made available for public inspection, including any reports from the former disability appeals officer; the amount he has spent on legal costs in relation to the office of disability appeals officer since these interim arrangements were put in place; his views on whether the independent functions of the office of disability appeals officer has been compromised by being situated in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41869/12]

Hospital Services

Pearse Doherty

565. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the current policy operating within the Health Service Executive to reduce the financial, administrative and organisational impact of patients who do not attend scheduled appointments in public hospitals; the number of DNAs on an annual basis for year from 2008 to 2011; the estimated cost in financial and administrative terms of the current level of DNAs; when the existing policy was last revived; if recommendations were made for improving the policy aimed at reducing the negative impact of DNAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41871/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Jim Daly

566. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the arrangements in place for admission into mental health care of children between the ages of 16 and 18 years that have not had intervention previously by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services; if his attention has been drawn to the reluctance to treat the child over 16 years of age when care is first needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41875/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Billy Kelleher

567. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason the Cystic Fibrosis physiotherapist at Temple St Hospital, Dublin has not been replaced resulting in only acute patients receiving physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41879/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

John Halligan

568. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health when day clinics, home based treatment facilities and additional staff will be provided to the Mental Health Services in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41885/12]

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Mary Lou McDonald

569. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health following the Health Service Executives cut to special footwear allowances for patients needing orthopaedic footwear, the alternative funding measures available to enable patients purchase the footwear they require but may be unable to afford [41898/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Billy Kelleher

570. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will give a guarantee that psychiatric nurses and care assistants in all mental health facilities are taking their required breaks under employment and health and safety laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41902/12]

Drugs Payment Scheme Administration

Mattie McGrath

571. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason Omacor medication for cholesterol is not covered by the medical card; the assistance that is available to those who require this medication and who cannot afford same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41903/12]

National Lottery Funding Applications

Bernard Durkan

572. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in the determination of eligibility for funding under the National Lottery grants scheme in the case of a club (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41907/12]

Medical Card Applications

James Bannon

573. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding applications for medical cards in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41937/12]

Vaccination Programme

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

574. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the differences which exists between counties with regard to the administration of the BCG vaccine; the reason a baby born in County Roscommon cannot get vaccinated until they are in fifth or sixth class in school; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the vaccination is not available privately and that the vaccine service that is available in other counties is only available to children born in those counties; the reason there are such discrepancies from one county to the next; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41938/12]

Health Services Provision

Tom Fleming

575. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine undue delays in treatment of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry [41954/12]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Pat Deering

576. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the proposed Primary Care Centre in Tullow, County Carlow, since the announcement in July this year. [41956/12]

Medical Card Applications

John O'Mahony

577. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive a decision on their application for medical card; the reason for the delay in issuing a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42000/12]

Dental Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

578. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan will receive a dental appointment. [42001/12]

HSE Staff Remuneration

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

579. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the annual health payroll bill for the years 2007 to 2012 inclusive; if he will provide a breakdown of same by year, numbers employed and staff category, that is management, administration, ICT, general support staff, medical, nursing, dental, allied health and social care professionals, science, laboratory, technical and maintenance, catering and housekeeping and other [42011/12]

Medical Card Applications

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

580. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on the medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary. [42012/12]

Hospital Bed Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

581. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of consultant audiologists cover and audiology staff at Crumlin Children's Hospital, Dublin; the average waiting time at Crumlin Children's Hospital for an audiology appointment; the longest and shortest time for same for the months August 2011 and August 2012; the efforts he is making to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42013/12]

Respite Care Services

Brendan Smith

582. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of respite beds, in St Mary's Nursing Unit, Castleblayney, County Monaghan; the number of such beds in 2009, 2010 and 2011; if he will confirm that it is proposed to retain this respite facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42016/12]

Hospital Facilities

Brendan Smith

583. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the location at which food is prepared and cooked for Monaghan General Hospital, St Mary's Nursing Unit, Castleblayney and St Davnet's, Monaghan; if he is satisfied that such arrangements for catering for these health facilities is appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42017/12]