Parliamentary questions

Palliative Care Services

Gabrielle McFadden

674. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health for an update on the progress in developing comprehensive palliative care services for counties Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath, including a specialist inpatient hospice unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37485/15]

Home Help Service Expenditure

Tom Fleming

675. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the additional funding to be allocated from budget 2016 to enhance home help services and home care packages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37416/15]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Jack Wall

676. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding a primary care centre for a location (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37426/15]

Hospital Facilities

Patrick O'Donovan

677. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health for a progress report on the development of a plan to improve the facilities, including the outpatient department and operating theatres, at the Mid-Western Regional Orthopaedic Hospital in Croom in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37420/15]

Health Services Provision

Tom Fleming

678. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health his plans to rescind the proposal by the Health Service Executive to relocate all services from the Lantern Lodge Day Centre on New Road in Killarney in County Kerry to Leawood House on Countess Road in Killarney based on the rational case put forward in documents (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37499/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

679. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a procedure for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37427/15]

Hospital Services

Tom Fleming

680. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health for an update on the nurse care staff levels and restoration of the full bed complement in Kerry General Hospital, in each of the community hospitals in the county, and in St. Columbanus Home in Killarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37434/15]

Services for People with Disabilities

Finian McGrath

681. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support the urgent need for residential places for persons and children with a disability (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37512/15]

Dental Services Provision

Tom Fleming

682. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the initiatives being taken to address the growing frequency of children's tooth decay and the ongoing lack of a public scheme for diagnosis and treatment at an early age, as this neglect is leading to costly orthodontic corrective procedures; his plans to introduce an early intervention and treatment programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37514/15]

Nursing Home Services

Clare Daly

683. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 530 of 20 October 2015 regarding the stalemate between the National Treatment Purchase Fund and AnovoCare nursing home, which stalemate is preventing the latter from opening, the stage in the three-stage review process that this dispute is currently at; and if anything can be done to expedite a resolution. [37525/15]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility

Michael McCarthy

684. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) regarding the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37526/15]

Hospital Procedures

Terence Flanagan

685. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding gastric band operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37530/15]

Hospital Services

Tom Fleming

686. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the bed complement in use and the number of nursing staff in Kerry General Hospital, all community district hospitals in the county, and St. Columbanus Home in Killarney, Kerry, on 20 December in each of the years 2010 to 2014 and up to 30 September in 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37531/15]

Clinical Trials

Tom Fleming

687. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce legislation requiring pharmaceutical companies to publish tests and clinical trials to ensure all trials are registered, a summary of results is made publicly available within one year of completion of the trial and full clinical study reports are made available, especially in view of the ongoing concerns of the severe adverse affects of the human papilloma virus-cervical cancer vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37540/15]

Primary Care Centres Provision

Eric J. Byrne

688. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health when construction will begin on the Curlew Road primary care centre in Dublin 12; when it will open; when the Armagh Road primary care centre, Dublin 12 will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37542/15]

Medical Card Applications

James Bannon

689. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite the renewal of applications for medical cards by persons (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37548/15]

Orthodontic Services Provision

James Bannon

690. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health his proposals to expedite orthodontic treatment waiting periods in County Longford; if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37552/15]

Orthodontic Services Provision

James Bannon

691. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health his proposals to expedite orthodontic treatment waiting periods in County Longford; if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37553/15]

Palliative Care Services

James Bannon

692. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will address and provide instructions to the Health Service Executive to fully develop a specialist palliative care service in counties Longford and Westmeath, with access to a regional specialist inpatient unit, level 3 hospice and level 2 hospice beds, supported by level 3 services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37554/15]

Palliative Care Services

James Bannon

693. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to ensure every person has prompt access to good quality palliative and end-of-life care when he or she requires it; his plans for counties Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath, which have no level 3 hospice, despite the excellent work of the local hospice groups in maintaining these services, and which have the lowest level of regional State investment in palliative care nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37555/15]

Palliative Care Services

James Bannon

694. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason persons in counties Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath are being denied level 3 hospice care and the same services to support them in living well until the end of their lives as those persons in other parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37556/15]

School Staff

Noel Coonan

695. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a situation (details supplied) in a County Tipperary school; his plans to alleviate concerns and increase services at the school; if his Department will allocate additional staff to the school in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37560/15]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Jerry Buttimer

696. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health how the family home is treated in the financial assessment under the nursing home support scheme; how the proceeds from the sale of a home are treated if the property is sold during a person's period of stay in a nursing home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37572/15]

Disability Support Services Provision

Michael McCarthy

697. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the services that are available to young adults with intellectual disabilities; the capital funding that is being made available for organisations providing services to young adults with intellectual disabilities; if he will provide suitable buildings, premises and accommodation for residential services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37574/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Richard Boyd Barrett

698. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for a hip replacement at St. Vincent's Hospital will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37580/15]

Medical Card Eligibility

Richard Boyd Barrett

699. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health why a medical card for persons (details supplied) in County Dublin was withdrawn by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37581/15]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Eoghan Murphy

700. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way in which speech and language therapy services will be improved in future years, in order that children requiring these services, will be offered something more meaningful than six lessons in one year, as is currently being offered, when six lessons in one month would be more in keeping with what might be of tangible benefit to the child [37588/15]

Hospital Staff Data

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

701. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in voluntary hospitals receiving salaries of more than €100,000 per year as of the end of 2014, by clinical staff; by administrative and managerial staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37592/15]

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage

Seán Fleming

702. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the up-to-date position regarding the approval of the drug fampridine, Fampyra, for persons who suffer from multiple sclerosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37593/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Arthur Spring

703. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health when a cataract operation for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be carried out; if he is aware of the delays in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37600/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Arthur Spring

704. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the current waiting time for a public patient (details supplied) in County Kerry to receive an appointment for an eye operation in Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37604/15]

Disability Support Services Provision

Jack Wall

705. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment for physiotherapy and speech therapy from the South Kildare Network Disability Team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37622/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

706. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, if she will confirm that women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 will be categorised as high risk and priority patients, as stated in the response received from the Health Service Executive; when they can expect to be categorised as such; and if they will be informed of this change. [37656/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

707. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, if dental treatment services scheme contractors will be informed that women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 will be categorised as high-risk and priority patients, as stated in correspondence from the Health Service Executive. [37657/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

708. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, how women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 can all be categorised as high-risk and priority patients, given that the dental treatment services scheme's standard operating procedure (details below) states otherwise. [37658/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

709. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, if women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 and who do not have untreated dental disease, or for whom the treatment of dental disease does not pose significant health problems, will still be categorised as high-risk and priority patients. [37659/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

710. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, the arrangements being put in place in other areas of the Health Service Executive where women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 are being categorised as high-risk and priority patients. [37660/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

711. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, if arrangements are in place in other areas of the Health Service Executive where women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 are being categorised as high-risk and priority patients; and if the women in question have been informed that this system is in place. [37661/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

712. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, if he will clarify the statement that women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 will have access to the full range of dental services available prior to 2010, as stated in a letter from the Health Service Executive. [37662/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

713. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, if he will clarify the statement that women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 are being assessed on a case-by-case basis by the dental service of the Health Service Executive regarding complex care needs, given their possible phobias and complex care issues, as stated in correspondence from the Health Service Executive. [37663/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

714. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, if women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 have been informed that they can be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the dental service of the Health Service Executive regarding complex care needs, in view of their possible phobias and complex care issues, as stated in a letter from the Health Service Executive. [37664/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

715. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, the steps women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 need to take in order to be assessed by the dental service of the Health Service Executive in respect of complex care needs regarding possible phobias and complex care issues, as stated in a letter from the Health Service Executive. [37665/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

716. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, the criteria involved in the case-by-case assessments carried out by the dental service of the Health Service Executive in respect of complex care needs regarding possible phobias and complex care issues, as stated in a letter from the Health Service Executive. [37666/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

717. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, if women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015, and who have phobias and require sedation because of such phobias, will be placed on a waiting list, or if they will be treated as high-risk and priority patients. [37667/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

718. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, the meaning of enhanced care for women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015, as stated in correspondence from the Health Service Executive. [37668/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

719. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, if the enhanced care for women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015, as stated in correspondence from the Health Service Executive, includes free emergency dental treatment, once the free annual examination has been used, or if women will be required to pay an emergency fee on attending. [37669/15]

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Mary Lou McDonald

720. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, if the enhanced care for women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015, as stated in correspondence from the Health Service Executive, includes treatment for emergencies, such as pain after an extraction. [37670/15]

Dental Services Provision

Mary Lou McDonald

721. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 233 of 13 October 2015, the arrangements being put in place in other areas of the Health Service Executive, where women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 are being assessed on a case-by-case basis for enhanced care. [37671/15]

Dental Services Provision

Mary Lou McDonald

722. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Number 233 of 13 October 2015, if arrangements are in place in other areas of the Health Service Executive, where women who qualify under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 are being assessed on a case-by-case basis for enhanced care; and if the women in question have been informed that this system is in place. [37672/15]

HSE Funding

Fergus O'Dowd

723. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for funding by a group (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37680/15]

Health Services Access

Charlie McConalogue

724. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for routine physiotherapy referrals to the Health Service Executive in the Carndonagh and Buncrana offices in County Donegal; if the staffing complement is currently at its maximum level, and if the Health Service Executive has any plans to recruit additional staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37698/15]

Hospice Services Provision

Gabrielle McFadden

725. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health his plans to progress the development of a level 3 hospice unit in the Midlands, which was promised 14 years ago, to help address the need for specialist impatient palliative care and associated day care services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37700/15]

Hospital Appointments Delays

Colm Keaveney

726. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for a medical procedure for a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37704/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Mattie McGrath

727. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting knee and hip operations in County Tipperary; the waiting times for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37716/15]

Health Services Data

Mattie McGrath

728. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting speech and language assessment in County Tipperary; the waiting times for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37717/15]

Ambulance Service Provision

Mattie McGrath

729. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the current number of ambulances available in County Tipperary; and if the response times are being met. [37718/15]

Medicinal Products Supply

Eoghan Murphy

730. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the current policy on the provision of Epipens in urban centres and cities; and his plans to change this policy in the near future. [37726/15]

Patient Data

John Halligan

731. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who have undergone ostomy operations here in the years, 2010 to 2014; the number of persons here who currently have either an iliostomy bag or a colonostomy bag; his plans to include this condition in the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37727/15]

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Clare Daly

732. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the action he proposes to take to deal with consultants who are refusing to assist those persons, who are already on waiting lists, to travel to avail of services under the cross-border directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37728/15]

National Lottery Funding Applications

Brendan Griffin

733. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if national lottery funding will be provided to an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37733/15]

Hospital Services

Bernard Durkan

734. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a pre-operation assessment will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who has been awaiting a pre-operation assessment and an operation since March 2015, who appears to be on the emergency list, and whose quality of life is rapidly deteriorating in the absence of surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37740/15]

Vaccination Programme

Clare Daly

735. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if the case of the 110 teenage girls who having taken Gardasil and who have all presented with the same or similar life-altering symptoms should be investigated, with particular reference to their assessment, diagnosis and treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37745/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Colm Keaveney

736. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Galway will receive an appointment for critical orthopaedic surgery to treat an 80o+ scoliosis curve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37750/15]

Hospital Transfers

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

737. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health his plans to grant a transfer request submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Offaly, who has been on the waiting list for a transfer since 9 May 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37755/15]

Patient Data

Pádraig MacLochlainn

738. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the number of patients from County Donegal who have been referred to Ballykelly Hospital in County Derry in 2015 to date for MRI brain scans; the cost from Letterkenny General Hospital's budget; and why these procedures can not be carried out at Letterkenny General Hospital in County Donegal [37759/15]

Hospital Services

Pearse Doherty

739. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of outpatients' clinics which have operated at Dungloe Community Hospital in County Donegal from 2010 to 2015 date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37768/15]

Ambulance Service Response Times

Éamon Ó Cuív

740. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for ambulances in the west Connemara area primarily served by the ambulance station in Clifden, in County Galway, measuring the time from the time of the request for an ambulance until its arrival at the scene; the steps he will take to reduce these waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37783/15]

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Eoghan Murphy

741. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health the way speech and language therapy services will be improved in the coming years, so that children needing these services will be offered something more meaningful than six lessons in one year, as is currently being offered, when six lessons in one month would be more in keeping with what might be of tangible benefit to the child [37801/15]

Health Services

Billy Kelleher

742. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his views on auditory verbal therapy (details supplied); the level of his Department's engagement with this particular form of therapy; his plans to include it for cochlear implant patients; if his Department will fund the attendance of children at an overseas clinic providing this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37813/15]

Health Services Provision

Pat Breen

743. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to a medical procedure for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37820/15]

Health Services Provision

Billy Kelleher

744. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be provided with a compression suit; if he will progress the matter with urgency, in view of the circumstances outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37824/15]

Registration of Nurses

Pat Breen

745. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health the status of a nursing registration application by a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37825/15]

HSE Expenditure

Denis Naughten

746. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the total spend in the past 12 month period in each primary community and continuing care area on home nursing care for children with life-limiting conditions; the number of children who availed of the service in each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37827/15]

Health Services Data

Denis Naughten

747. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the numbers on waiting lists in respect of assessment and treatment for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy by duration on the waiting list, by primary community continuing care area and by age category; if he will provide corresponding figures for whole-time equivalent vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37828/15]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Administration

Terence Flanagan

748. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to a refund of the cost of medication for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37829/15]

Alcohol Sales Legislation

Brendan Griffin

749. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding alcohol-related harm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37831/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Róisín Shortall

750. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health given the growing waiting lists for colonoscopies, and the high proportion of persons waiting longer than three months for a colonoscopy at public hospitals, the measures that are being taken to improve capacity, and ensure patients have access to a colonoscopy within three months of referral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37844/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

James Bannon

751. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health for an update on a long-awaited medical appointment for a person (details supplied) from County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37846/15]

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Jack Wall

752. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive a specialised chair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37854/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Tom Fleming

753. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37857/15]

Cross-Border Health Initiatives

Éamon Ó Cuív

754. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5 is covered by the Health Service Executive to have hip replacement surgery carried out under the cross-Border health initiative; if he will provide details of the entitlement for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37860/15]

Respite Care Services Availability

Éamon Ó Cuív

755. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when respite care will be provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13, given that hospitals previously providing care for this person, and other persons with similar health care needs, have closed down. [37862/15]

Hospital Charges

Éamon Ó Cuív

756. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his views regarding a situation whereby privately insured persons attend public hospitals for treatment and are charged privately through their health insurance, and where the State also pays the hospitals for the same treatment carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37864/15]

Medical Card Applications

John Perry

757. Deputy John Perry asked the Minister for Health the current status of an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; if he will issue a discretionary medical card to the person, given that person's serious illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37868/15]

Ambulance Service Response Times

Gerry Adams

758. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of an incident which occurred on 20 October 2015 at a school (details supplied) in County Louth in which an ambulance called to the scene of an accidental fall took 57 minutes to arrive; that when queried, the ambulance staff cited a service outage as the reason for this; his views on the impact of a service outage on the ambulance service; the back-up systems that exist to mitigate this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37871/15]

Diabetes Strategy

Mick Wallace

759. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health when the proposed new model of care for adolescents with type 1 diabetes, outlined in the strategy document of the paediatric diabetes working group, which was set up by the Health Service Executive in 2011, will be launched, given the importance of this model to the quality of life of the children involved, and the fact that the launch date has already been pushed back; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37884/15]

Water Fluoridation

Shane Ross

760. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Health if he has concerns regarding the methodology undertaken by the Health Research Board earlier in 2015, when reviewing the effects of the fluoridation of water, particularly the board's failure to assess the cumulative exposure for the population to fluoride consumption from not only water fluoridation, but also from the consumption of food, beverage, and medicines, or from occupational exposure to fluoride; his plans to review this policy again, given our unique position in Europe as the only State with nationwide mandatory water fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37889/15]

Home Help Service Provision

Michael McGrath

761. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when home help supports and a home care package will be provided to assist with the care of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will confirm how long the person has been on the waiting list; if the Health Service Executive has adequate funding to provide these vital supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37898/15]

Medical Negligence Claims

Catherine Murphy

762. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of claims of medical negligence that have been received against publicly-funded health professionals in the past three years; of these, the number that were settled, prior to proceedings being issued; after a defence of denying liability was entered; the number that ended with a payment to the claimants; the number that involved an offer by the State Claims Agency to submit to formal mediation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37929/15]

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Colm Keaveney

763. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 14 October 2015, his views on a response issued by University Hospital Galway on 22 October 2015 stating the orthodontic treatment waiting list is currently running at approximately three years, and that, therefore, it is anticipated that a person (details supplied) should be seen in July 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37951/15]

Health Services Staff

Brendan Smith

764. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide permanent employment for health care attendants and multi-task attendants on internships in a hospital (details supplied); if urgent consideration will be given to regularising the employment status of these employees, as many of these short-term contracts end within the next few months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37956/15]

Medical Card Eligibility

Bernard Durkan

765. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the current status in determining eligibility for a medical card of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; the documentation still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37962/15]

Hospital Procedures

Michael Healy-Rae

766. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who has been referred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37970/15]

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage

Peter Fitzpatrick

767. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if it is possible to reimburse a multiple sclerosis patient for the drug Fampyra, which he has paid for on the drugs refund scheme, prior to its going onto the list of medication covered by the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37977/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Robert Troy

768. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9 for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [37985/15]

Primary Care Services Provision

Thomas P. Broughan

769. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for Health Service Executive aids and appliances in north Dublin, for less than three months; three months plus to six months; six months plus to nine months; nine months plus to 12 months; 12 months plus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37999/15]

Primary Care Services Provision

Thomas P. Broughan

770. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on a waiting list for Health Service Executive services in north Dublin, who are being monitored by the resource allocation group; who are on a waiting list for up to three months; three months plus to six months; six months plus to nine months; nine months plus to 12 months; 12 months plus; the services with the greatest demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38000/15]

Nursing Staff Recruitment

Thomas P. Broughan

771. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding extra recruiting of nurses for Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 9; the number of nursing posts that will be filled before Christmas 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38001/15]

Nursing Staff Provision

Thomas P. Broughan

772. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of agency nursing staff currently in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the number who have been contracted to this hospital for less than three months; three months plus to six months, six months plus to nine months; nine months plus to 12 months; 12 months plus; if this number will be increased over the winter period; the cost associated with hiring agency staff, compared to hiring full-time or part-time permanent nursing staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38002/15]

Hospital Beds Data

Thomas P. Broughan

773. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if all wards and beds will be opened in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, for the winter period; the number of beds this would bring on board for this period; the way these extra beds will be manned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38003/15]