Parliamentary questions

Legislative Programme

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

641. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the child and family support agency Bill; if the integrity of the family resource centres' programme will be preserved; if funding for this programme will be ringfenced; if it is intended that the family resource centres will have representations on the new board and if their views will be taken on board in the finalisation of the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8055/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

642. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of all appointments made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office, including the State owned banks and the Judiciary. [8114/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

643. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office including the State owned banks and Judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8132/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

644. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by her to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by her since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process. [8150/13]

Employment Rights

Mary Lou McDonald

645. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs following the recently published Migrant Rights Centre Ireland Report December 2012 Part of the Family, which illustrates the way the unregulated au pair system is being used to facilitate cheap child care and that leaves au pairs without basic protections, her plans to address the issue of au pairs here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8224/13]

Child Care Services Provision

Alan Farrell

646. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of parents who have availed of the community child care subvention programme in 2012; the cost of this service to the Exchequer in 2012 and the estimated cost in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8430/13]

National Lottery Funding Applications

Eric J. Byrne

647. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding an application for a grant in respect of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8719/13]

Departmental Funding

Seán Kyne

648. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a funding programme will be finalised and ready to accept applications from youth organisations such as youth cafes. [8986/13]

Hospital Staff

Michael Healy-Rae

649. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the shortage of intern places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8098/13]

Local Drugs Task Forces Review Report

Jerry Buttimer

650. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the outcome and results of the review of local drugs task forces; the details of any changes to their funding which is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8219/13]

Blind Person's Pension Applications

Eric J. Byrne

651. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will review an application for blind welfare allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [8528/13]

National Substance Misuse Strategy

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

652. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding Festival sponsorship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8673/13]

Misuse of Drugs

David Stanton

653. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned about the abuse of prescription drugs by drug users; if his attention has been drawn to the types of prescription drugs commonly abused in this way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8822/13]

Hospital Staff

Andrew Doyle

654. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if there are any changes proposed to the working time directive as it applies to non-consultant hospital doctors who are in training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8050/13]

Mental Health Services Funding

Robert Troy

655. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the position regarding the 2012, €35 million ring fenced allocation for community mental health; the amount spent in community mental health during 2012; the number of the promised professionals who have been hired to date; provide a clear commitment that any unspent moneys will be spent together with the 2013 €35 million allocation this year; his plans for this year and a time frame for implementation of same. [8066/13]

Home Care Packages

Finian McGrath

656. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long term home care package in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8072/13]

Health Services

Finian McGrath

657. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long term care plan in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [8073/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Tom Fleming

658. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will issue a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8075/13]

Suicide Incidence

Finian McGrath

659. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the rates of suicide amongst the Traveller community and the support available for families in the Traveller community who are affected by suicide. [8076/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility

Finian McGrath

660. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason the elderly and those who are ill in the Traveller community have been targeted disproportionately financially than any other category of citizens in the nursing home support scheme. [8077/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility

Finian McGrath

661. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation regarding rental income and sale of property in relation to the nursing homes support scheme fair deal scheme (details supplied). [8078/13]

Medical Card Applications

Brendan Griffin

662. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on an application for a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8083/13]

Hospital Staff

Tom Fleming

663. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will address the current deficit of intern places to medical graduates as the State's investment in undergraduate medical education will be squandered due to these graduates being unable to obtain an intern position; if he will take into consideration information (details supplied) and the fact that completing the intern year is a legal requirement in order for graduates of Irish medical schools to practise here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8094/13]

Patient Redress Scheme

Clare Daly

664. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with the victims of former consultant Michael Neary as a matter of urgency in order to deal with his commitment to resolve their outstanding issues and quest for justice. [8102/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

665. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the details of all appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office, including the State owned banks and the Judiciary. [8121/13]

Medical Card Application Numbers

Tom Fleming

666. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of medical card applications received in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the number allowed; the number refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8129/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

667. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the details of the qualifications of all the appointees made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary for the appointments they have accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8139/13]

Home Care Packages

Tom Fleming

668. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of home care package applications received in 2010, 2011 and 2012; the number allowed; the number refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8147/13]

Ministerial Appointments

Shane Ross

669. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health the number of appointees and the percentage of appointments made by him to all State agencies, commercial bodies and all other appointments made by him since taking office including the State owned banks and the Judiciary that were subject to a public applications process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8157/13]

Medicinal Products Supply

Shane Ross

670. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health if he will engage with the relevant authorities to assess the potential benefits of Ampligen to M.E patients; if he will work to ensure that Ampligen is made available to M.E patients here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8174/13]

Health Services

Gerry Adams

671. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if in this State the standard practice is to fit deaf children with only one cochlear implant; if he will give consideration to changing this practice and move towards bilateral implantation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8175/13]

Hospital Staff

Eamonn Maloney

672. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to address the anticipated shortage of intern places for both EU and non-EU graduates of Irish medical schools this summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8177/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Tom Fleming

673. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will issue a discretionary medical card as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8178/13]

Hospital Staff

Michael P. Kitt

674. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, in place to deal with the shortage of intern places for both EU and non-EU graduates of Irish medical schools, arising as a consequence of the increased number of medical school graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8180/13]

Hospital Staff

Derek Nolan

675. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if due to an increase in the number of medical school graduates this year there will be a shortage of intern places for both EU and non EU graduates of Irish medical schools; the plans in place to deal with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8181/13]

Prescription Charges

Robert Troy

676. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will explain the anomaly which exists between monthly prescription charges for families in which no family member has a medical card and monthly prescription charges for families when one member has a medical card on medical grounds, if no family member has a medical card, that family pays a maximum of €144 per month for prescription charges, if one member of that family has a medical card on medical grounds then the family pays the €144 monthly prescription charge plus €1.50 per item in the medical card prescription; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8188/13]

HSE Staffing

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

677. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of posts in the Health Service Executive currently filled using the jobbridge scheme; if he will identify the posts in question; if he will state the numbers so employed in 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8191/13]

Medical Card Drugs

Robert Troy

678. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will continue to cover the cost of the drug, Dispamine 250g per month on the medical card of a person (details supplied); the reason the drug is being removed as a permanent item on the medical card payment items list; and the reason Wilson's disease is not being recognised as a long term illness by his Department. [8192/13]

Health Services

Colm Keaveney

679. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a commitment that a residential unit (details supplied) in County Galway will continue in its current use and provide a commitment that medical staff there, in line with the ethical guidelines of their professions, should not be intimidated out of speaking publicly to defend the welfare of their patients by Health Service Executive west management as is now being attempted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8197/13]

Hospital Services

Robert Dowds

680. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the reasons the epilepsy units at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, and at Cork University Hospital have not yet been opened; and when he expects to be able to open them in full. [8204/13]

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Robert Dowds

681. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if persons with epilepsy who require specialised treatment are eligible to seek treatment abroad under the treatment abroad scheme while the opening of the epilepsy units at Cork University Hospital and at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, is pending. [8205/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Finian McGrath

682. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the need for access to neuro-rehabilitation services in view of the fact that there are unacceptably long waiting lists to see a neurologist; and if he will end cuts to this vital support service. [8208/13]

Health Services

Noel Harrington

683. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health the services available to young self employed persons, who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and unable to work anymore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8212/13]

Health Services Expenditure

Michelle Mulherin

684. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the funding from the Special Delivery Unit that has been allocated to County Mayo to date; the details of such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8218/13]

Hospital Staff

John Paul Phelan

685. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the measures he will put in place to ensure that the current deficit of intern places for medical graduates which has come about as a result of the State's funding of additional medical school places, without the corresponding increase in intern places, will not lead to medical graduates having to leave the country to fully qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8222/13]

Health Services Expenditure

Pearse Doherty

686. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the new criteria recently announced for the funding of day centres; the considerations his Department has given to sparsely populated areas and rural isolation of the elderly in formulating this criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8239/13]

Hospital Staff

Michael McGrath

687. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he has any concerns that there may not be sufficient intern places for both EU and non-EU graduates of Irish medical schools later this year; if there are any plans in place to deal with the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8250/13]

Hospital Staff

Michael Creed

688. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is due to be a shortage of intern places available to both EU and non-EU graduates of medical schools here as of July 2013, as identified in the second interim report of the reform of the interim year, and the policy his Department intends to pursue in order to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8251/13]

Hospital Staff

Tom Fleming

689. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health when will the promised podiatry post at Kerry General Hospital be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8263/13]

HSE Correspondence

Pearse Doherty

690. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 227, 228, 229, and 230 which were referred to the Health Service Executive on 23 January 2013, when the replies to these questions from the HSE will be forthcoming. [8266/13]