Parliamentary questions

Prescription Charges

Billy Kelleher

1538. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he expects to abolish the prescription levy; the amount raised by the levy; if he has considered raising the levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37078/12]

Ambulance Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

1539. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he expects the air ambulance service to be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37079/12]

Departmental Budgets

Billy Kelleher

1540. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the years from 1997 to 2011, inclusive, in which his Department asked for and received a supplementary budget; the amount provided in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37080/12]

National Children's Hospital Location

Billy Kelleher

1541. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he expects to make a decision on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37081/12]

Home Care Packages

Billy Kelleher

1542. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of home care packages and home help hours, provided by county, and the same figures for the same time last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37082/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Billy Kelleher

1543. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide staff and all other facilities to make St. Francis's Hospice, Blanchardstown, Dublin, operational; his views on whether opening the 24-bed facility, an important unused step-down facility, could reduce pressure on local hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37083/12]

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

1544. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he expects to complete discussions on a final agreement with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association on drug costs in addition to the interim agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37084/12]

National Treatment Purchase Fund Payments

Billy Kelleher

1545. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will detail, in tabular form, the number of patients treated by the National Treatment Purchase Fund in each year since its foundation, including 2012; the categories of patient treated in each year; the cost of the NTPF in each year; where its budget has been reallocated in the years 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37085/12]

Universal Health Insurance Provision

Billy Kelleher

1546. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing universal health insurance; the estimated charges to be imposed on persons with and without medical insurance for UHI; how medical card patients will be included in the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37086/12]

Universal Health Insurance Provision

Billy Kelleher

1547. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing free GP care; the expected number of patients to be affected; when he expects it to be implemented; the number of times he has met representative bodies on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37087/12]

Universal Health Insurance Provision

Billy Kelleher

1548. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing and extending free general practitioner care to those with long-term illnesses; the expected number of patients to be affected; when he expects it to be implemented; the number of times he has met representative bodies on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37088/12]

Medicinal Products Supply

Billy Kelleher

1549. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when cancer patients can expect to be able to receive ipilimumab; the reasons for the further delay in its provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37089/12]

Medicinal Products Supply

Billy Kelleher

1550. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when cancer patients may expect to be able to receive Gilenya; the reasons for the further delay in its provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37090/12]

Health Services Staff

Billy Kelleher

1551. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he expects agency costs to be reduced by 50% this year; the revised saving to be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37091/12]

Health Services Staff

Billy Kelleher

1552. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he expects agency costs to be reduced by 50% this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37092/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Billy Kelleher

1553. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the total spend on taxis in the Health Service Executive and the National Treatment Purchase Fund in each of the years 2008 to 2011; the total spend to date in 2012; the projected spend in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37093/12]

Hospital Services

Billy Kelleher

1554. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown by hospital of bed closures, theatre closures and ward closures this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37094/12]

Nursing Home Accommodation

Billy Kelleher

1555. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown in each community nursing unit of bed closures in the unit this year; the names of CNUs earmarked to close this year; if this is expected to change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37095/12]

Hospital Services

Billy Kelleher

1556. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the resource implications, in terms of staff, funding, and ancillary support, of implementing the recommendations of the Tallaght hospital report in full nationwide; his plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37096/12]

Hospital Services

Billy Kelleher

1557. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he has met with the Health Service Executive, the INMO, the IMO, the INO and other organisations regarding the implications of the Tallaght hospital report; the nature of the discussions; if any decisions were made arising from the discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37097/12]

Hospital Charges

Billy Kelleher

1558. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the actual amount of additional revenue generated by increasing charges on private patients in public hospitals; the amount projected in budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37098/12]

Hospital Services

Billy Kelleher

1559. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the total number of closed operating theatres in public hospitals around the country; if he will provide a breakdown of the hospitals affected; the number of theatres closed in each hospital; the length of time each theatre has been closed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37099/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Billy Kelleher

1560. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in full what he hopes to achieve from the current discussions with the consultant groups and how this will differ to what was already agreed in the Croke Park agreement in 2010 and also as part of the 2008 consultant contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37100/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Billy Kelleher

1561. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is committed to ensuring that consultants are rostered for a seven-day week as opposed to a five-day week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37101/12]

Hospital Services

Billy Kelleher

1562. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he intends reopening closed beds following recent figures which show waiting lists have increased by 24% over the past year; and the number of closed beds he intends reopening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37102/12]

Health Insurance Prices

Billy Kelleher

1563. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his Department has carried out any research or intends to carry out any research into the impact of increased numbers of patients presenting themselves in public hospitals as a result of private patients giving up their private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37103/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Billy Kelleher

1564. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will detail, in tabular form, the number of staff in receipt of top-up pay in excess of €10,000, €50,000, €100,000, and €200,000 per hospital; the average amounts of payments; the basis for the payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37104/12]

Health Service Executive Board

Billy Kelleher

1565. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the composition and all changes to the interim Health Service Executive board since April 2011; the roles of those on the board within the Department of Health or HSE; the corporate governance structure currently in place; when he expects HSE governance legislation to be passed; when he expects a new board to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37105/12]

Health Insurance Prices

Billy Kelleher

1566. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of customers who have left the private health insurance market by county; the average change in premiums over the past year and since budget 2012; the maximum increase in premiums over those time periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37106/12]

Proposed Legislation

Billy Kelleher

1567. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he expects the health (amendment) Bill to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37107/12]

Proposed Legislation

Billy Kelleher

1568. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the issues that will be rectified in the health (amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37108/12]

Proposed Legislation

Billy Kelleher

1569. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the proposed rectifications for issues identified and to be addressed by the health (amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37109/12]

Ambulance Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

1570. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form for each county or, if not available, each region, the average response times for ambulances in life threatening, potentially life threatening, and all other situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37110/12]

Departmental Strategy Statements

Billy Kelleher

1571. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he intends to publish the positive ageing strategy this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37111/12]

Tobacco Control Measures

Billy Kelleher

1572. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to tackle smoking in society; the rate of smoking in 2003 for men and for women; the rates now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37112/12]

General Practitioner Services

Billy Kelleher

1573. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he has consulted with the IMO regarding the provision of universal GP care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37113/12]

Universal Health Insurance Provision

Billy Kelleher

1574. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when he expects to publish the While Paper on universal health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37114/12]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Billy Kelleher

1575. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he has initiated any discussions with the National Asset Management Agency regarding the use of its buildings for primary care centres, or the Minister for Justice and Equality regarding the use of unused Garda stations as primary care centres; the outcomes of those discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37115/12]

Health Insurance Community Rating

Billy Kelleher

1576. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that private insurers are designing policies to be less attractive to older persons thereby evading community rating policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37116/12]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Billy Kelleher

1577. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres by county in February 2011; the number now; the same figures for primary care teams in February 2011 and now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37117/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Billy Kelleher

1578. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form by each hospital, the number of patients who have had their operations cancelled or rescheduled since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37118/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Billy Kelleher

1579. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the basis on which waiting list category definitions have been changed; the definition of each category in terms of recommended operation time before and after the change; the number of patients in each category before the change; the number in each category after the change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37119/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Billy Kelleher

1580. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health inclusive of inpatient, outpatient and elective treatment, the mean average length of time in terms of days for patients on waiting lists in March 2011; the same figure for July 2011; the figure now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37120/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Billy Kelleher

1581. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form for each hospital, inclusive of inpatient, outpatient and elective treatment, the number of patients on waiting lists in March 2011 waiting for three to six months, for six to nine months, for nine to 12 months, for 12-24 months, and for longer the 24 months; the same figures for July 2011; the figures now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37121/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Billy Kelleher

1582. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health inclusive of inpatient, outpatient and elective treatment, the length of time the longest waiter on waiting lists has been waiting, the county the person resides in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37122/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Billy Kelleher

1583. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of patients who have been transferred to another hospital waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37123/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

1584. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount of demographic funding to provide emergency placements and services for school leavers with intellectual disabilities; the same figure last year; the number of children who benefitted from the funding last year; the projected number this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37124/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

1585. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided to voluntary service providers for those with intellectual and other disabilities; the same figure last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37125/12]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Billy Kelleher

1586. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health of the €55 million in additional funding allocated to the fair deal scheme, the revised extra amount which is expected to allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37126/12]

HSE Staff Remuneration

Billy Kelleher

1587. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital consultants earning more than €200,000 including allowances from the public health system; the number earning more than €300,000; the number earning more than €400,000; the average salary of hospital consultants; the average hours of consultants in January 2011 and in January 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37127/12]

Universal Health Insurance Provision

Billy Kelleher

1588. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in the context of his plans for universal health insurance, his plans for the VHI; if it will be broken up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37128/12]

Hospital Closures

Billy Kelleher

1589. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if any small hospitals will be closed either as part of reconfiguration or due to budgetary measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37129/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Billy Kelleher

1590. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital consultants in breach of the working time directive; if he is concerned that this may impact on the safe delivery of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37130/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

1591. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if recruitment of the 414 staff for mental health services, as announced in the Health Service Executive service plan 2012, has begun; the number of posts that have been filled; the number of mental health services staff who retired as part of the early retirement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37131/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Billy Kelleher

1592. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if reductions in fees paid to hospital consultants have been accounted for in his budget estimates; the level by which they will be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37132/12]

Hospital Charges

Billy Kelleher

1593. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the charges set by him in respect of inpatient and outpatient hospital care and for visiting an accident and emergency department; if these charges have changed since February 2011; if these charges will change in 2012; the revenue accruing from such charges in 2011; the anticipated income in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37133/12]

Public Sector Reform Review

Billy Kelleher

1594. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the total amount of funding made available to the voluntary redundancy scheme in 2012; the estimated cost of the scheme in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37134/12]

Hospital Charges

Billy Kelleher

1595. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the rate of hospital charges - inpatient, outpatient and accident and emergency; the categories of patient required to pay hospital charges; the changes in charges which took place in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37135/12]

Hospital Charges

Billy Kelleher

1596. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the anticipated income from statutory inpatient, outpatient and accident and emergency charges in 2011 and 2012, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37136/12]

Health Insurance Prices

Billy Kelleher

1597. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the meetings he has held with members of the health insurance industry in relation to changes in charges announced in budget 2012, the number of such meetings he has held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37137/12]

Hospital Charges

Billy Kelleher

1598. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the basis on which the figure of €143 million was arrived at in regard to savings to be achieved on the generation and collection of private income in budget 2012; if he expects to achieve this figure; the contacts he has held with insurance companies before arriving at the figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37138/12]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Billy Kelleher

1599. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the level of new funding available for the fair deal scheme; the number of patients waiting to be accepted onto the scheme; the mean average length of time patients are waiting to be accepted to the scheme; the level of funding in 2011; the level of funding in 2012 provided for in budget 2012; the amount drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37139/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Billy Kelleher

1600. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the total cuts to the budget of service providers to persons with a disability in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37140/12]

Home Care Packages

Billy Kelleher

1601. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the rules for the means test applied for assessing entitlement to a home care package for a person being cared for in the home; if this has changed since the budget; the level of funding in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37141/12]

Medical Card Applications

Finian McGrath

1602. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [37142/12]

Hospital Services

Patrick Nulty

1603. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the Irish Haemochromatosis Association regarding the lack of availability of venesection in certain areas and the wide variation in the charge for performing venesection; if he will classify haemochromatosis as a life-long chronic illness for which treatment should be covered by the general medical service at no cost to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37143/12]

Translation Services

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1604. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the total cost of translation services by his Department and the agencies operating under his aegis for the years 2010 to 2012, inclusive; if his attention has been drawn to a translation service (details supplied); his opinion on the merits of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37144/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1605. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for colonoscopy examinations in the public health system for the years 2008 to 2012, inclusive; the number of patients waiting for colonoscopies during the same period; if he will provide a breakdown of same per Health Service Executive region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37145/12]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1606. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that adequate capacity is in place to facilitate the roll-out of the national cancer screening programme in 2012; that the bowel cancer screening programme is extended to people aged 55 to 74 years; that multi-annual funding is in place to support the programme by the end of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37146/12]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Maureen O'Sullivan

1607. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that multi-annual, long-term funding is in place in order that the bowel cancer screening programme will be delivered to all who need it by the end of 2012; if he will ensure that the introduction of screening does not jeopardise endoscopy services for symptomatic patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37147/12]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1608. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the reason 22 beds remain closed at a hospital (details supplied) in County Tipperary; the efforts he is making to ensure these beds are reopened at the earliest opportunity; the date on which they will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37148/12]

Departmental Bodies Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1609. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of agencies, authorities, boards, committees, working groups, tribunals, council services, task forces, agencies or other quangos set up by his Department since February 2011; the number abolished since then; the extra cost of quangos which were established; the savings from the abolition of quangos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37247/12]

Departmental Bodies Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1610. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of each quango in his Department; the amount expected to be saved from the mergers of quangos in his Department; the basis for this figure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37263/12]

Job Creation

Dara Calleary

1611. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of new jobs created by his Department as a result of the jobs initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37279/12]

Job Creation

Dara Calleary

1612. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of new jobs created by his Department as a result of the action plan on jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37295/12]

Job Creation

Dara Calleary

1613. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of new jobs created by his Department as a result of budget 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37311/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1614. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent on taxis by his Department since February 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37327/12]

Departmental Staff Data

Dara Calleary

1615. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of press officers in his Department; the number of press officers in each agency under his auspices; the total cost of press officers in his Department and in agencies under his auspices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37343/12]

Appointments to State Boards

Dara Calleary

1616. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the total number of board appointments he has nominated since he came to office; the names, salaries and expenses of each appointee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37359/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1617. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37375/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1618. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if he will detail in tabular form the total cost of providing entertainment for his Department since coming to office, inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which entertainment was provided; the entertainers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion; if there is a policy regarding the booking of entertainers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37447/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1619. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on food and drink by his Department; if he will provide a breakdown of what this involved; the occasions on which food and drink was provided; those present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37463/12]

Departmental Expenditure

Dara Calleary

1620. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on hair and make-up by his Department since he came to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37479/12]

Ministerial Adviser Appointments

Sean Fleming

1621. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number and names of all special advisers, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; the name of the Minister or Minister of State to whom he or she reports; the salary of each adviser now; the salary of each adviser at the time he or she was appointed; if any salary increase was asked for; if it was granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37495/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Sean Fleming

1622. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide detail in tabular form of the names of all external public relations and consultancy persons and organisations used by his Department for the years 2011 and 2010; the amount paid to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37511/12]

Ministerial Expenditure

Sean Fleming

1623. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the gross annual salary costs for his private and constituency offices at present; the same figures for this time last year; the same figures for any Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37528/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Sean Fleming

1624. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will detail in tabular form the amount paid on external public relations and communications consultants since February 2011; the reason for the payment; the name of each organisation used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37544/12]

Consultancy Contracts Issues

Sean Fleming

1625. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will detail in tabular form the amount paid to consultants since February 2011; the name of each organisation used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37560/12]

Ministerial Advisers

Sean Fleming

1626. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the political activities of each special adviser, special press advisers, or any other type of ministerial adviser in his Department; if any of them were members of a political party; if so, the parties to which they belonged; if any of them are or have been elected local authority members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37576/12]

Ministerial Transport

Sean Fleming

1627. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the amount spent by his Department on drivers and ministerial transport since February 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37592/12]

Departmental Reports

Sean Fleming

1628. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department, including payments from ministerial allowances, details of the consultants employed and costs of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37624/12]

Hospital Equipment

Brian Walsh

1629. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the cost of an extracorporeal shockwave lithotripor machine purchased for University Hospital Galway in 2010; the current use and location of this machine; his plans to commission the machine for treatment of public patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37631/12]

Vaccination Programme

Brian Walsh

1630. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health his plans for the introduction of the neo-natal BCG vaccination programme in Galway; his views on whether there is a risk posed to public health by its absence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37632/12]

HSE Properties

Finian McGrath

1631. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a facility in Blanchardstown, Dublin (details supplied). [37638/12]

Water Fluoridation

Michael Healy-Rae

1632. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the fluoridation of the public water supply (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37642/12]

Medical Card Applications

Finian McGrath

1633. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [37647/12]

Hospital Services

Patrick Nulty

1634. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the Irish Haemochromatosis Association about the lack of availability of venesection in certain areas and the wide variation in the charge for performing venesections; if he will classify haemochromatosis as a life-long chronic illness for which treatment will be covered by the general medical service at no cost to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37651/12]

Water Fluoridation

Michael Healy-Rae

1635. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the costs to the State of fluoridating the water supplies of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37654/12]

Drug Treatment Programmes Availability

Finian McGrath

1636. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support this issue on syringes (details supplied) in County Limerick. [37671/12]

National Lottery Funding Applications

Pearse Doherty

1637. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the safeguards in place to ensure an equitable distribution of the national lottery discretionary funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37672/12]