Parliamentary questions

Ambulance Service Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

611. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of times the ambulance at James Street, Dublin has been out of scheduled service in the past 12 months due to the full compliment of rostered staff being unavailable, that is, dropped shifts; the reasons for same; his plans to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2488/14]

Child Care Services Provision

Richard Boyd Barrett

612. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an assessment by an early intervention team in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2489/14]

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Terence Flanagan

613. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recruitment of registered general nurses in the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2500/14]

Maternity Services

Michael Healy-Rae

614. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding scanning for foetal abnormalities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2504/14]

Health Services Staff Data

Denis Naughten

615. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of staff employed in the following capacity within the Health Service Executive: managers, administrators including clerical staff, doctors, nurses and other staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2512/14]

Health Services Staff Data

Denis Naughten

616. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of doctors and nurses employed by the Health Service Executive per 1,000 population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2513/14]

Health Services Staff Data

Denis Naughten

617. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of frontline staff, the number of managers and the number of administrators including clerical staff who left the Health Service Executive following the introduction of the recruitment embargo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2514/14]

Health Services Staff Data

Denis Naughten

618. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of persons employed within the Health Service Executive in a managerial capacity in the years 2009; 2010; 2011; 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2515/14]

Mental Health Services Funding

Dan Neville

619. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the percentage of the mental health budget spent on prescription drugs. [2527/14]

Public Health Issues

Seán Kenny

620. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of persons prosecuted under the Public Health Tobacco Act 2002 for selling a tobacco product to persons aged under 18 years in each of the past five years; his plans to increase the penalties for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2530/14]

Medical Card Applications

Patrick Nulty

621. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied). [2548/14]

Health Services Provision

Brendan Griffin

622. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to a service (details supplied) in Kerry in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2553/14]

HSE Funding

Brendan Griffin

623. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for a facility (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2559/14]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Griffin

624. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will make funding available to a festival (details supplied) in County Kerry that has an emphasis on promoting positive mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2566/14]

Departmental Properties

Arthur Spring

625. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the costs incurred by the Health Service Executive in maintaining the building and in the provision of security at Dingle District Hospital, County Kerry; and if the HSE plan to sell the building or if sections of the building can be assigned for use of community groups in the area [2606/14]

Departmental Properties

Arthur Spring

626. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the costs incurred by the Health Service Executive in maintaining the building and in the provision of security at St. Finian's Hospital, Killarney, County Kerry; if the HSE plan to sell the building or if sections of the building can be assigned for use of community groups in the area. [2607/14]

Medical Card Reviews

Tom Fleming

627. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card review and take into consideration the additional information from their accountants in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2616/14]

Hospital Accommodation Provision

Finian McGrath

628. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding patients on trolleys at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make this a priority matter. [2640/14]

Mental Health Act Review

Colm Keaveney

629. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the review of the Mental Health Act 2001, which was committed to in the 2011 programme for Government, and which has been under consideration by the expert group since August 2012; the date on which the review will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2644/14]

Medicinal Products Prices

Derek Nolan

630. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health his plans to include a maximum pricing scheme for essential drugs in the Pricing of Medical Goods Act 2013; his plans to implement a maximum pricing scheme separate from this Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2645/14]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Seán Sherlock

631. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and fill the vacancy in the early intervention team in north Cork of a psychological therapist (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2646/14]

Medical Card Applications

Dan Neville

632. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the application for full medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Limerick. [2647/14]

Departmental Expenditure

Thomas P. Broughan

633. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the amount of expenditure incurred by his Department for the purposes of funding research into the effects of smoking cigarettes on the human body, including research on associated matters such as cancers attributable to cigarette smoking for the years 2012 and 2013 and the projected spend for 2014; and the amount of health expenditure allocated to campaigns to encourage persons to stop smoking in each of those years. [2651/14]

HSE Funding

Peadar Tóibín

634. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health when the new salaries for heads of charities will come into effect. [2656/14]

Medical Card Appeals

Bernard Durkan

635. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in respect of appeal for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2708/14]

Medicinal Products Licensing

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

636. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the list of all side effects of the swineflu vaccine Pandemrix reported to the Health Service Executive since 2010, both including and excluding narcolepsy; the numbers of reported incidents of these side effects also including and excluding narcolepsy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2727/14]

Mental Health Services Provision

Sandra McLellan

637. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health when the third community CAMHS team currently being implemented in Cork to include the east Cork catchment area will be put into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2729/14]

Ambulance Service Response Times

Billy Kelleher

638. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the response times for 112-999 calls to Ballyshannon local ambulance call centre from Enniscrone and the Easkey area; if he will provide figures where the response time has been over fifteen minutes in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2731/14]

Health Services Staff Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

639. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number and grade of staff employed in the provision of mental health services in counties Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan; if he will provide a breakdown of same by staff grade and county and for each of the years 2009-2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2735/14]

Hospital Appointment Status

Robert Troy

640. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied). [2737/14]

Medicinal Products Prices

Michael Healy-Rae

641. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the cost of drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2738/14]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

642. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when an appointment for genetic testing can be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2739/14]

Health Services

Joe Carey

643. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health if he will re-examine the file of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; the reason surgery is no longer deemed necessary in this case; and if he will arrange for a second opinion. [2740/14]

Medical Card Applications

Tom Fleming

644. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2741/14]

Medical Card Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

645. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the eligibility for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2759/14]

Parliamentary Questions Data

Dara Calleary

646. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the total number of parliamentary questions submitted to him in 2012 and in 2013 regarding the provision of ambulance services in the country or any aspect of ambulance service; the standard response time for such questions; any significant deviations on the response time; his opinion of the responsiveness of the National Ambulance Service to parliamentary questions. [2780/14]

Abortion Services

Terence Flanagan

647. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical personnel in hospitals if they refuse to assist with abortions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2786/14]

Abortion Services

Terence Flanagan

648. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the amount of money that will be spent to upgrade theatres so that they are suitable for abortions to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2787/14]

Health Promotion

Jerry Buttimer

649. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the establishment of Healthy Ireland Council; if he will consider appointing a representative of the fitness industry to the council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2811/14]

Health Insurance Cover

Michael Healy-Rae

650. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason a single man cannot get private health insurance without maternity cover; the reason an elderly lady cannot get cover without maternity cover being on that policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2823/14]

Health Services Staff Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

651. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of section 38 bodies; the salaries of chief executive officers; the detail of any top-up payments paid in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2824/14]

Health Services Staff Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

652. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full list of Section 39 bodies; the salaries of CEOs; the detail of any top-up payments paid in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2825/14]

Ambulance Service Response Times

Gerry Adams

653. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that on 13 January 2013 an ambulance based in Drogheda was providing cover in Navan and as a result took 30 minutes to respond to an emergency call in respect of a woman who had collapsed on West Street in Drogheda; the reason the ambulance was providing cover in Navan; his views views on whether these response times are satisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2839/14]

HIQA Investigations

Gerry Adams

654. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an ambulance was available in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in the early hours of New Year’s Day when an ambulance from Ardee was dispatched to Drogheda to respond to the stabbing of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2840/14]

HIQA Investigations

Gerry Adams

655. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the Health Information and Quality Authority investigation into the ambulance response to the stabbing of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2841/14]

HIQA Investigations

Gerry Adams

656. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will ask Health Information and Quality Authority to carry out a thorough investigation into the resourcing, structure and management systems of the ambulance service in the north east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2842/14]

HIQA Investigations

Gerry Adams

657. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that any investigation by Health Information and Quality Authority into the ambulance service in County Louth is carried out in consultation with those frontline staff in our ambulance service who work long hours and provide a remarkable service, often with inadequate resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2843/14]

Departmental Funding

Catherine Byrne

658. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 548 of 10 December 2013, the voluntary and community organisations funded by his Department in 2013 or the latest year for which such information is available; the amount provided in each case and the purpose for which it was provided. [2862/14]

General Practitioner Services

Thomas Pringle

659. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if there will be an opt-in mechanism for general practices to register for free GP care for the under sixes; if he can still guarantee that all those under six will have access to free GP care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2863/14]

Home Care Packages

Finian McGrath

660. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a home care package in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2900/14]

Proposed Legislation

Seán Kyne

661. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health further to the Parliamentary Question No. 626 of 17 December 2013, and in the context of the planned changes to the Irish Health Service, if consideration will be given to empowering Health Information and Quality Authority to monitor and inspect standards in private hospitals as well as public hospitals, in view of the proposed introduction of a health insurance system in which the services provided by private hospitals will undoubtedly expand [2934/14]

Health Services Provision

Seán Kyne

662. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to amending section 39 of the Health Act under which financial supports are provided to voluntary and non-Governmental organisations to increase transparency and accountability of such items as director and management salaries in view of the fact that such a legislative measure would increase public confidence regarding the use of public money [2935/14]

Medicinal Products Prices

Seán Kyne

663. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the progress made regarding reducing the cost of medicines both at a State level and at consumer level; the negotiations that have been held between the Health Service Executive and the pharmaceutical companies; and if consideration will be given to partnering with other EU member states in purchasing medications which would enable health services to acquire essential medications at a lower cost [2936/14]

Disability Diagnoses

David Stanton

664. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if his Department classifies dyscalculia as a disability and compiles statistics on the number of persons in the State who have been diagnosed with dyscalculia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2940/14]

Animal Experimentation

John O'Mahony

665. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if he has reviewed the Irish Medicines Board implementation of Directive 2010/63 here; if he will indicate the way in which he will ensure that Irish enterprises are not put at a competitive disadvantage due to the IMB interpretation of Directive 2010/63; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2969/14]

Roads Maintenance

Finian McGrath

666. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views regarding road issues (details supplied) in County Dublin. [2469/14]

Roads Maintenance

Brendan Griffin

667. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will provide funding to complete an infrastructural project (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2551/14]

Sports Capital Programme Eligibility

Éamon Ó Cuív

668. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a licence from a local authority rather than a lease is acceptable for an application to comply with the terms of the Capital Sports Grant Scheme 2014; in the event that it is, the terms that would be required from such a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2941/14]

National Roads Authority Projects

Brian Walsh

669. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding provided for the purpose of planning works in respect of the Galway city outer bypass since he reversed the ban on such expenditure last year; and the amount allocated for that purpose in 2014. [2289/14]

Road Safety Strategy

Nicky McFadden

670. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a renewed focus will be placed by his Department on road safety to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries in 2014; the measures he will take to address the problem of drug driving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2297/14]

Road Safety

Nicky McFadden

671. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the recommendations of the speed limits review will be implemented in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2299/14]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Barry Cowen

672. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent since February 2011 on external reports commissioned by his Department including payments from Ministerial allowances, broken down by report; if he will provide the details of any consultants employed; the names of each report and their status as published or ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2369/14]

National Car Test

Terence Flanagan

673. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of money that has been collected by the national car test service since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2384/14]

Rail Services

Terence Flanagan

674. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has concerns that DART users are being over-charged for the current standard of service they are receiving; if he has concerns that further increases in ticket prices will lead to fewer people being able to afford and use the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2385/14]

National Roads Authority Projects

Dara Calleary

675. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide traffic usage figures from the latest survey of the N59 road in County Mayo between Ballina and Crossmolina; and the N59 road between Newport and Westport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2410/14]

Rail Services

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

676. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason there are periods during rush hour where there are fewer DART carriages running than in other time slots; the reasons behind the 50 cent fare increase in December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2419/14]

Penalty Points System Offences

Peadar Tóibín

677. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of penalty points issued for each month since January 2011; and if he will detail seperately their issue by county. [2444/14]

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Clare Daly

678. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount his Department spends on an annual basis in payments to consultancy firms (details supplied). [2485/14]

Public Transport Provision

Seán Kenny

679. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department or the National Transport Authority intends to provide funding to purchase additional carriages for the Luas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2529/14]

Penalty Points System Offences

Brendan Griffin

680. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider a longer period of suspension from driving for persons who accrue 12 penalty points for the second time or thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2556/14]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Brendan Griffin

681. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consult with Iarnród Éireann to see if there are existing railway line corridors in use that have enough space at the sides to safely facilitate the provision of greenways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2557/14]

Cycling Facilities Provision

Brendan Griffin

682. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consult with the National Roads Authority to see if our new motorways have enough space on the verges of the land corridors that were acquired to safely facilitate the provision of cycle paths or greenways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2558/14]

Sports Funding

Brendan Griffin

683. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of the new round of sports capital funding; if he will provide details of important deadlines and the overall budget and criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2564/14]

Tourism Project Funding

Brendan Griffin

684. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the opportunities that are available to a festival (details supplied) in County Kerry to apply for funding to help offset some of the costs of staging the event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2567/14]

Railway Stations Upgrade

Brendan Griffin

685. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will make funding available in 2014 to Irish Rail to improve the appearance and condition of railway stations, especially those on tourist routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2571/14]

Railway Stations Upgrade

Brendan Griffin

686. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding to improve the appearance of a railway station (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2572/14]

Tourism Promotion

Brendan Griffin

687. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way the Wild Atlantic Way will be marketed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2600/14]

Road Signage

Brendan Griffin

688. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Roads Authority will explain the reason it erected a sign on a private road at Ballinamona Lower, Castlemaine, County Kerry on the road opposite the junction of the N70 and the short mountain road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2634/14]

Public Service Contracts

Thomas P. Broughan

689. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the CIE PSO allocation for 2011, 2012 and 2013 and the projected allocations for 2014 and 2015; and the way the allocation has been and will be split between Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and Bus Éireann. [2690/14]

Road Safety

Michael Healy-Rae

690. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding tachograph legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2691/14]

Road Safety

Brendan Griffin

691. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider the introduction of mandatory dipped headlights for motorists during daylight to further improve safety on our roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2782/14]

Public Transport Provision

Eric J. Byrne

692. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a nitelink and air coach service in respect of an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2800/14]

Road Safety

Michael Healy-Rae

693. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason, if a person with a commercial vehicle legally off the road parks it in a shed and six or 12 months later wants to put it back on the road, the reason they are requested to back-test the vehicle covering the length of time it was legally off the road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2829/14]

Driver Licences

Patrick O'Donovan

694. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to harmonise the driving licence regime between Ireland and Canada; the progress that has been made on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2860/14]

Grant Payments

Andrew Doyle

695. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider providing a capital grant scheme for mountain rescue organisations in County Wicklow (details supplied) to enable the organisations to improve the service they provide to the public in times of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2877/14]

Tourism Policy

Andrew Doyle

696. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide details of Ireland's engagement history with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation based in Madrid, Spain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2879/14]

Grant Payments

Dara Calleary

697. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount of grant money paid by his Department in 2013 to Shannon Airport; if any debt due from the airport to his Department or to any agency under his aegis has been written off and if so the amount; the value of assets transferred or due to be transferred from Shannon Development to Shannon airport and the annual income associated with those assets; and his views on the implementation of the Shannon Airport task force report of 2012. [2924/14]