Parliamentary questions

Hospital Consultant Contracts

Billy Kelleher

431. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of doctors appointed for the first time in the public hospital system voluntary hospitals as well as Health Service Executive-run hospitals under category C consultant contracts since 1 January 2014. [4532/15]

Hospital Consultant Contracts

Billy Kelleher

432. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of senior doctors currently employed on a contract other than a category C contract who have applied to the Health Service Executive to change to a category C contract since 1 January 2014; and the number of such changes which have been approved by the HSE over the same time period. [4533/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Patrick O'Donovan

433. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, a list of all external public relations firms hired by his Department and associated costs incurred from 2007 to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4545/15]

Health Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

434. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in assessing a person (details supplied) in Dublin 20 for dyslexia; and when they will receive a date for their assessment [4553/15]

Maternity Services Provision

Seán Kenny

435. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the way the extra €2 million allocation in the 2015 Health Service Executive service plan will be spent with regard to current pressures within the maternity services here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4556/15]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Billy Kelleher

436. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the way he proposes to reduce waiting times for breast prostheses for women who have had mastectomies; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the Dublin north local health area, women have been waiting since September for breast prostheses and surgical bras, and that this compares very unfavourably to other parts of the country; the reason there is no nationwide uniformity of provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4587/15]

Abortion Legislation

Ruth Coppinger

437. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health the number of women who have availed of terminations under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013; the number of women who have been refused; his views on the follow-up care for women who have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4590/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Tom Fleming

438. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4596/15]

Health Services Provision

Sandra McLellan

439. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the proposed day care centre for a town in County Cork (details supplied) that was originally allowed to proceed by the Health Service Executive in December 2008; if planning permission was granted in December 2011 in view of a letter issuing in 2012 from the HSE area manager stating that the project had been halted due to lack of funds in the capital development plan; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that planning permission is only granted for a period of five years, and that time is running out on this project and funding urgently needs to be provided for this extremely important development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4602/15]

Health Services Staff

Dominic Hannigan

440. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that the minimum number of agency staff are being employed by the Health Service Executive in County Meath in order that full-time staff are employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4604/15]

Hospital Facilities

Seán Fleming

441. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will utilise the beds in St. Brigid's Hospital, Shaen, Portlaoise, to alleviate the crisis of bed shortage in the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4605/15]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Willie Penrose

442. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to instruct the Health Service Executive to commence the recruitment of at least ten permanent staff nurses at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath, which have been sought and committed to since October 2014; if the interviews will be conducted forthwith in respect of the said necessary posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4625/15]

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

James Bannon

443. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health his proposals to expedite orthodontic treatment waiting periods in County Longford; if his attention has been drawn to a specific case (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4627/15]

National Positive Ageing Strategy Implementation

Billy Kelleher

444. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the role his Department plays in the implementation of the objectives of the national positive ageing strategy; and if he will provide in tabular form the progress made in regard to each individual area for action that is the responsibility of his Department or agency under the remit of his Department. [4637/15]

National Lottery Funding Applications

Brendan Griffin

445. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if his Department will make a fund available for community groups to apply for grant aid to purchase and install community defibrillators; if he will pilot such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4659/15]

Open Disclosures Policy

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

446. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his disposition towards a legal duty of candour for health professionals as introduced in the neighbouring island in November 2014; his plans to introduce facilitating legislation to provide for a similar requirement here; if so, the stage his preparations have reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4689/15]

Motorised Transport Grant Data

Terence Flanagan

447. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update regarding the new mobility allowance scheme that was promised for persons with disabilities; when it will commence; the amount it will be; the criteria for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4721/15]

Maternity Services Provision

Terence Flanagan

448. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding indemnity insurance in respect of a person (details supplied); his views on this person's insurance which has been taken away; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4722/15]

Medical Card Data

Terence Flanagan

449. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of taxpayers who had a medical card in 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4723/15]

Medical Card Data

Terence Flanagan

450. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of stages in the medical card application process; the time each stage takes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4724/15]

HSE Staff

Terence Flanagan

451. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the amount by which staffing will increase in the accident and emergency department of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, following the recent negotiations between accident and emergency nurses and management regarding understaffing in the department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4725/15]

Home Help Service Provision

Terence Flanagan

452. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an overview of the current provision of State-funded home help services here; his views that more State-funded home helps are needed to provide support to the elderly and infirm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4726/15]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data

Terence Flanagan

453. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in Dublin North East and Dublin North Central who have availed of the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4727/15]

HSE Staff

Noel Grealish

454. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that there are five occupational therapist posts vacant in County Galway and 435 children in the early intervention services in County Galway who need this essential service, the reason the posts are still vacant; the action being taken to fill them and the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4740/15]

HSE Agency Staff Expenditure

Dara Calleary

455. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form details of agency staff costs expended by the Health Service Executive in 2012, 2013 and 2014; the specific staff roles and grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4746/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Brendan Griffin

456. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a date for a cataract operation will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4747/15]

Health Services

Finian McGrath

457. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the services for cystic fibrosis patients; his plans in 2015-2016 for providing adequate care for these patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4749/15]

Hospital Beds Data

Billy Timmins

458. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position in regard to a ward in a hospital (details supplied) in County Dublin; if the decision will be re-examined and the ward reopened as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4775/15]

Hospitals Data

Billy Timmins

459. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital (details supplied) in County Wicklow; if a full status report will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4776/15]

HSE Staff

Billy Kelleher

460. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate who has been the Accounting Officer for the Health Service Executive as of 1 January 2015. [4786/15]

Obesity Strategy

Frank Feighan

461. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the initiatives to deal with obesity that have been taken in past ten years; the programmes or proposed programmes being rolled out to deal with this problem; and if a specific budget is being set aside for this purpose. [4788/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pearse Doherty

462. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment to see a consultant in Letterkenny General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4790/15]

Proposed Legislation

Billy Kelleher

463. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to bring forward new legislation with regard to hospital groups; if there is a statutory basis for their establishment or any requirement for such; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4792/15]

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

464. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if negotiations involving his Department, the Health Service Executive and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association for a successor drug pricing agreement to the three-year deal agreed in October 2012 have commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4795/15]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Data

Billy Kelleher

465. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting placement under the fair deal scheme; the average waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4798/15]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Bernard Durkan

466. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an application for the fair deal scheme in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4799/15]

Respite Care Services Availability

Bernard Durkan

467. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when respite care will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is cared for by her daughter on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4806/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Ring

468. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 9 December 2014, when a reply will issue. [4810/15]

Services for People with Disabilities

Jack Wall

469. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for an assessment of need in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4811/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

John McGuinness

470. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for assessment for a hip operation will be arranged at an early date in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow as the case is deemed urgent by her general practitioner who has written four letters requesting immediate action in the case; if he will expedite the matter; and the reason for the delay. [4815/15]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Shane Ross

471. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 89 of 15 October 2014, his views on the allowable deductions under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Allowable Deductions) Regulations 2014, with particular reference to the €31 per week deduction for a couple with a child; his further views on whether that adequately reflects the cost of maintaining a child, that any deduction of a greater amount reflecting the real cost of maintaining a dependent child is permitted by the regulations only where payments are made in that regard under a separation agreement or pursuant to a court order; that the regulations in this respect are unfair, discriminate against a child being cared for within the family and are unsustainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4822/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Derek Nolan

472. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health his views on the role of the arts in the health service; if there is evidence that investment in this area is worthwhile; his plans to further invest in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4834/15]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Derek Nolan

473. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the way the lifting of the moratorium on recruitment in the public sector will affect front-line hospital staff; the impact he envisages this measure will have on staffing levels in hospitals; the way the ending of the moratorium will affect nurses' staffing levels in the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4842/15]

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Derek Nolan

474. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the way the lifting of the moratorium on recruitment in the public sector will affect hospital staff numbers in County Galway; the plans by Saolta University Healthcare Group to replace agency staff with full-time permanent positions due to the lifting of the moratorium; if he will provide a breakdown of the number of full-time positions that have been provided thus far; the number it plans to provide in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4843/15]

Hospital Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

475. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the details of arthritis services in County Mayo; if he will ensure that a full-time rheumatologist be appointed to Mayo General Hospital in view of the under-provision of specialists in the county and the large number of people with the condition; if he will ensure that such a clinician is appointed in view of the fact that staff must currently travel in order to care for patients, one day a week, in turn wasting time on a commute that could be better spent on clinical duties; and that the quality of life of those with this, at times, debilitating condition, is reduced by travelling long distances for basic care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4861/15]

Proposed Legislation

Billy Kelleher

476. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health regarding the health information Bill the consultation process that has taken place; if he will provide a list of those who have been directly involved in the consultation, as well as those who have made submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4867/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Joe Carey

477. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the national waiting list management protocol system with its stated waiting time of eight months as it pertains to scheduled care treatment is operating in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4877/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Thomas P. Broughan

478. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the measures in place to deal with waiting lists for necessary investigations and treatments; and his views on an acceptable waiting time for investigations where the timing of diagnosis may affect the prognosis. [4886/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Thomas P. Broughan

479. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health beds available for under 18 year olds; the number of these beds used in 2014; and the mental health outpatient services available for under 18 year olds. [4887/15]

Accident and Emergency Departments

Thomas P. Broughan

480. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the accident and emergency figures for Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, for 27 January 2015 and for the previous week; and the average response times for the ambulance service call-outs for Beaumont Hospital in 2014 and to date in 2015. [4888/15]