Parliamentary questions

National Lottery Funding Applications

Pearse Doherty

1638. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in tabular form, the number and the total value of applications received from County Donegal for funding under the national lottery discretionary fund and the number of these that were successful for 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37673/12]

National Lottery Funding Applications

Pearse Doherty

1639. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in tabular form, the amount of funding allocated to organisations based in County Donegal under the national lottery discretionary fund for 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37674/12]

Home Help Service Provision

Pearse Doherty

1640. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in tabular form, the number of hours of home help provision contracted between the Health Service Executive and Home Instead in County Donegal for 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37675/12]

Home Help Service Provision

Pearse Doherty

1641. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will outline, in tabular form, the number of hours of home help provision contracted between the Health Service Executive and Blue Bird Care in County Donegal for 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37676/12]

Child Care Services Provision

Pearse Doherty

1642. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the total number of special needs assistant hours allocated to the child care sector in County Donegal for 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37677/12]

Child Care Services Provision

Pearse Doherty

1643. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the total number of special needs assistants applied for by the child care sector in County Donegal for 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37678/12]

Child Care Services Provision

Pearse Doherty

1644. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the total amount allocated to the funding of special needs assistants in the child care sector in County Donegal for 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37679/12]

Drug Treatment Programmes Availability

Ciara Conway

1645. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his plans to roll out supervised injection sites across the country; if he will provide an update as to the whereabouts and timeframe associated with this; if he will comment on the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37680/12]

HSE Staff Responsibilities

Pearse Doherty

1646. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will detail the guidelines issued to doctors and hospitals with respect to the reporting of adverse side effects of drugs to patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37684/12]

Medicinal Products Licensing

Pearse Doherty

1647. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he has any concerns with respect to the drug aliskiren, trade name Rasilez, if he is aware of other countries that have outlawed the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37685/12]

Drug Treatment Programmes Availability

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1648. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the efforts he is making to support the Anna Liffey drug project in Dublin; his position on supervised injection sites in this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37686/12]

Health Services Provision

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

1649. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans to cater for the statutory registration and recognition of music therapy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37687/12]

Health Services Provision

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

1650. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans to cater for the statutory registration and recognition of art therapy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37688/12]

Health Services Provision

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

1651. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans to cater for the statutory registration and recognition of drama therapy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37689/12]

Health Services Provision

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

1652. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health his plans to cater for the statutory registration and recognition of dance movement therapy here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37690/12]

Hospital Procedures

Pearse Doherty

1653. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an explanation for the long delay in a person (details supplied) in Dublin receiving medical treatment for a prolapse disk. [37696/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Finian McGrath

1654. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the mental health community services are being wound down (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [37703/12]

Home Help Service Provision

Finian McGrath

1655. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding nursing home care in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [37704/12]

Medical Card Applications

Finian McGrath

1656. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [37710/12]

Medical Card Applications

Finian McGrath

1657. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied). [37718/12]

Medical Card Applications

Finian McGrath

1658. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [37720/12]

General Medical Services Scheme

Finian McGrath

1659. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical costs in respect of a person (details supplied). [37721/12]

Hospital Procedures

Finian McGrath

1660. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [37722/12]

HSE Staff Remuneration

Nicky McFadden

1661. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will receive redundancy payment from the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37726/12]

Health Services Expenditure

Michael Healy-Rae

1662. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the amount of the Health Service Executive's budget that will over-run in 2012 and the over-run for the first six months of this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37735/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Patrick Nulty

1663. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the new staff promised for community mental health services will be in place by the end of September; if he will confirm that this will include 370 staff for community mental health teams for children, adolescents and adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37737/12]

Health Services Provision

Finian McGrath

1664. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [37744/12]

Health Services Provision

Nicky McFadden

1665. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to recognise creative arts therapies through stage registration (details supplied); if creative arts therapies will be included in the list of professionals covered by the Health and Social Care Professionals Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37745/12]

Labour Court Recommendations

Sean Fleming

1666. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will supply a list of all Labour Court recommendations that have been issued in respect of his Department and organisations under his aegis that have not been complied with in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37755/12]

Labour Court Recommendations

Sean Fleming

1667. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of all Labour Court recommendations in respect of the Health Service Executive that have not been complied with in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37764/12]

Labour Court Recommendations

Sean Fleming

1668. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will obtain and provide a list of all Labour Court recommendations that have been issued in respect of the Health Service Executive that have not been complied with in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37765/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Pearse Doherty

1669. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reversing the decision to cut the disabled sheltered allowance, which was cut from €31.80 per week to €20.00 per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37767/12]

Health Services Allowances

Joanna Tuffy

1670. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 255 of 16 February 2012, if he will provide an up-to-date position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37776/12]

Hospital Procedures

Sean Fleming

1671. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the number of people who are on the waiting list to have vagus nerve stimulator batteries replaced in a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 9; the number waiting to have the vagus nerve stimulators installed; the number of devices to carry out these procedures; the number expected to be dealt with on a month-by-month basis between now and the end of the year; if he will agree that these waiting lists are very substantial and should be dealt with immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37782/12]

Health Services Staff

Nicky McFadden

1672. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will review the use of agency staff within the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37785/12]

Services for People with Disabilities

Finian McGrath

1673. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a special needs dog for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [37793/12]

Home Help Service Provision

David Stanton

1674. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 744 of 19 July 2012, if he will provide a breakdown of the number of home help hours provided by the Health Service Executive and by private operators whose services are paid for by the State, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37795/12]

Hospital Procedures

Bernard Durkan

1675. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when an appointment for a much required hip operation will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37798/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Brendan Ryan

1676. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the proposal to move the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum to Portrane in north County Dublin; the stage the proposal is at; if he will give any timescales on how the proposal is progressing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37801/12]

Health Services Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

1677. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37815/12]

Health Services Provision

Sean Fleming

1678. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an up-to-date needs assessment report will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37816/12]

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Sean Fleming

1679. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the position regarding recruiting persons with a disability; the number of persons currently employed in his Department; the number of persons with a disability who have been employed since 1 January 2011 to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37839/12]

Mental Health Services Provision

Tom Fleming

1680. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions No. 499 of 13 December 2011 and No. 161 of 20 June 2012 and following on from the proposal to close a hostel (details supplied) in County Kerry, if he will now intervene and address the huge concerns of residents, their families and relatives, staff, the Iveragh Mental Health Association and the entire Iveragh peninsula community by including a representative of each of these groups in the team responsible for the preparation of a detailed plan for mental health services in the south Kerry area in line with best practice and a Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37849/12]

Pension Provisions

Éamon Ó Cuív

1681. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the nominated health agencies' superannuation scheme pension payments deficit will be funded through the annual health Vote provided by the State to the Health Service Executive for the payment of health services pension benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37901/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Gerry Adams

1682. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1298 of 18 April 2012, if the two posts in the Rian counselling service in the Health Service Executive north east area have been appointed and if staff are now in position. [37906/12]

Hospital Services

Gerry Adams

1683. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he has been in contact with management of a hospital (details supplied) in County Louth and-or Louth County Hospital in Dundalk in relation to implementing cutbacks or reductions in services which will affect patients between now and the end of 2012; the services that will be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37907/12]

Hospital Procedures

Finian McGrath

1684. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a knee replacement operation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [37926/12]

Medical Card Eligibility

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

1685. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare was issued a doctor-only card and not a full medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37927/12]

Primary Care Services Provision

Paudie Coffey

1686. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Health if he has, as a result of the recent stimulus package announced by Government, received any expressions of interest from general practitioners and doctors in Waterford city and county to avail of the fact that both Dungarvan and Waterford city were identified as areas that were in need of primary care facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38005/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Gerry Adams

1687. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if the recommendations of the report into the circumstances pertaining to the death of a person (details supplied) in County Louth were implemented in full; if any of the decisions announced by the Health Service Executive recently with respect to cuts in agency staffing and overtime hours compromise the implementation of these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38025/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Gerry Adams

1688. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed breakdown, including details on the position, role and grade of staff, the number of posts cut from each of the Louth-Meath hospitals as a result of the Health Service Executive decision to cut back on agency staff and overtime hours. [38026/12]

Health Services Provision

Gerry Adams

1689. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of all measures being undertaken to cut costs in the Louth-Meath area, including details on the likely impact on health service users of these measures. [38027/12]

Health Services Provision

Gerry Adams

1690. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the risk assessments carried out in relation to decisions by the Health Service Executive to introduce cost cutting measures including the elimination of agency staff and cuts to overtime in the Louth Meath hospital group. [38028/12]

Speech and Language Therapy

Eoghan Murphy

1691. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health in view of the shortage of speech and language therapists in the health service, if he will consider allowing graduate speech and language therapists to conduct their mandatory supervised one-year placement with the health service to allow graduates receive their qualification and make available more personnel in this area at a reduced cost to the State. [38029/12]

Hospital Procedures

Finian McGrath

1692. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an angiogram in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [38055/12]

Health Services Provision

Finian McGrath

1693. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied). [38056/12]

Health Services Provision

Gerry Adams

1694. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if any reductions in services in mothers' and children's services in the Louth-Meath hospital group are planned as part of the cost-cutting plans between now and the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38073/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Gerry Adams

1695. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a month-by-month breakdown in tabular form of the number of exemptions granted to the recruitment embargo for each Health Service Executive region since March 2011. [38074/12]

Health Services Provision

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

1696. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the number of no shows recorded for scheduled Health Service Executive medical appointments in 2011 where the patient's address was recorded as prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38079/12]

Medical Negligence Cases

Finian McGrath

1697. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the group established in 2001 to consider a no-fault compensation system for birth damaged infants. [38080/12]

Public Sector Reform Review

John Lyons

1698. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a targeted redundancy programme in the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38089/12]

Medical Card Applications

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

1699. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will approve an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38090/12]

Health Services Provision

Bernard Durkan

1700. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason transport services to the north Kildare psychiatric services has been cut; if he has any plans to reintroduce such a service, which is vital to the local community, in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38097/12]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ciara Conway

1701. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise bowel cancer screening post-2012; if he will confirm that this screening programme will be extended to cover people in the 55 to 74 age group and if he will confirm a timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38100/12]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Finian McGrath

1702. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support bowel cancer screening as a matter of priority. [38116/12]

Health Services Provision

Finian McGrath

1703. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on services at a centre (details supplied) in County Sligo. [38117/12]

Eating Disorders

Gerry Adams

1704. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the supports or treatments available to persons suffering from bulimia nervosa here; the number of places available in the State to treat patients suffering from bulimia; the number of persons on waiting lists for such treatment; the timeframe patients are on waiting lists before they receive treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38120/12]

Eating Disorders

Gerry Adams

1705. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Meath is currently on a waiting list for admittance to a treatment programme for bulimia nervosa; the supports in place or that are being put in place to ensure they get the treatment they require; and the timeframe they will be waiting before they are admitted to a treatment programme. [38121/12]

Mental Health Awareness

Nicky McFadden

1706. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the possibility of early intervention in mental health awareness and promotion has been explored through programmes within the school system; if he has engaged with officials of the Department of Education and Skills on mental health promotion in schools generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38124/12]

Health Services Provision

Finian McGrath

1707. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a matter (details supplied) regarding acquired brain injury. [38126/12]

Legislative Programme

Ciara Conway

1708. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his plans to amend and update the maximum fine payable under the Rats and Mice Destruction Act 1919, which was further amended by the Health Act 1947, in view of the fact that this currently stands at 50 pence for the liable owner and as such does not represent a deterrent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38127/12]

Medical Card Eligibility

Billy Kelleher

1709. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if eligibility criteria will be included in the review of medical cards; if there will be a reduction in the number in receipt of medical cards as a result of this review; if existing medical card holders will be affected by this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38157/12]

Health Services Provision

Jack Wall

1710. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when students in a special needs unit at a school (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive speech and language therapy and occupational therapy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38159/12]

Medical Card Applications

Bernard Durkan

1711. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will be granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38160/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

1712. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the savings made through the employment of agency staff, both nursing and clerical, as against their Health Service Executive directly employed co-workers, in each of the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; if he will advise of any changes in terms of employment or levels of remuneration that were introduced specific to the recruitment agencies and when said changes came into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38164/12]

Ambulance Service Provision

Seán Crowe

1713. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the way in which the Health Service Executive cutbacks will impact on ambulance stations in Tallaght, Swords and Maynooth; and the way changes to the new roster to be introduced in September, including the number of ambulances on call, compare with the service available in September 2011. [38169/12]

Health Services Provision

Peter Mathews

1714. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health the support services available in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 16; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38181/12]

Domestic Violence Incidence

Sean Fleming

1715. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide full details of funding provided by his Department or the Health Service Executive in 2011 for domestic violence services; if he will provide a breakdown between funding for support, refuge, counselling services and other funding; if this information will be broken down on a county or regional basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38188/12]

Departmental Funding

Peter Mathews

1716. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase funding for an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38193/12]

Health Screening Programmes

Brendan Griffin

1717. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if new born babies here will be universally screened for the metabolic disorder, glutaric aciduria, as is already the practice in the US and Germany; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38198/12]

General Practitioner Services

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

1718. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will extend free general practitioner visits to long-term illness card holders this year. [38202/12]

National Substance Misuse Strategy

Kevin Humphreys

1719. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the status of the action plan on alcohol; when action will be taken to implement the proposals contained therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38204/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Kevin Humphreys

1720. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if the income for new-entrant general practitioner training has been cut by 20%, even though such trainees are not entitled to specialist registrar status or salary; if the out-of-hours allowance for general practitioners in their registry year has been abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38210/12]

Health Services Provision

Sean Fleming

1721. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an eye test will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38225/12]

Abortion Law Reform

Joan Collins

1722. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the date on which the expert group on abortion will issue its report to his Department; the date on which he will publish this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38234/12]

Abortion Law Reform

Joan Collins

1723. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the names of any groups he has met or consulted with on the issue of abortion law or abortion law reform since he has taken office and the number of times he met each group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38235/12]

Health Services Provision

Michael McGrath

1724. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, for each county, the number of children aged up to 18 years who have received a diagnosis on the autism disorder spectrum from the Health Service Executive or a recognised service provider for each year since 2000 to 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38243/12]

Health Services Staff Issues

Joe McHugh

1725. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health the number of personnel and the grades of these personnel, in tabular form, who are employed by the Health Service Executive within primary care and hospital and community services settings in the following disciplines: health promotion, communication, consumer affairs, training and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38247/12]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Joe McHugh

1726. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health the current waiting lists that obtain in public hospitals in respect of the various medical disciplines; if he will compare these figures with the pertinent figures for 1 September 2011 and 1 September 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38248/12]

Home Help Service Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

1727. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that 0.5 million home help hours have already been cut and that he now proposes to slash another 600,000 home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38257/12]

Cancer Screening Programmes

Sean Fleming

1728. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the funding available in 2012 for the bowel cancer screening programme; if this is sufficient to meet the targets of the programme; if funding will continue to be available to ensure screening is available for all persons aged 55 to 74 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38279/12]

Substance Misuse

Kevin Humphreys

1729. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if the recommendation by the national substance misuse strategy steering group that drinks industry sponsorship of sport and other large public events should be phased out through legislation by 2016 applies to events created by the alcohol industry such as Arthur’s Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38281/12]

Hospital Staff Issues

Joanna Tuffy

1730. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the Health Service Executive had to carry out a major recruitment drive for doctors outside of Ireland in response to a shortage of doctors in the HSE last year, if he will give an update on this shortage; if he foresees similar shortages in future; if he has brought this shortfall to the attention of Irish hospitals that provide clinical training for medical students and also to the attention to of the Department of Education and Skill and that there is a need to increase places to study medicine at colleges here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38283/12]

Vaccination Programme

Joanna Tuffy

1731. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on reports that 300 children were given the wrong vaccines at a GP practice (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38284/12]

Substance Misuse

Finian McGrath

1732. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support a matter regarding support for the Drugs Treatment Centre Board (details supplied) [38311/12]

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Robert Dowds

1733. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the amount of money that is being received by the health service from the €100 charge for accident and emergency care in hospitals; and if he will provide figures of the percentage of those liable for the charge who fail to pay. [38335/12]

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Robert Dowds

1734. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will consider reducing or removing the €100 charge for accident and emergency care for those under the age of 18 years. [38336/12]

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Robert Dowds

1735. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will consider waiving or reducing the fees for accident and emergency care for children who suffer from conditions which necessitate regular attendance at hospital accident and emergency units. [38337/12]

Health Services Provision

Finian McGrath

1736. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to cut services to disabled and senior citizens in 2012-2013 [38342/12]

Medical Card Applications

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

1737. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38345/12]