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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

Liam Twomey

Ceist:

158 Dr. Twomey asked the Minister for Health and Children if a policy co-ordinator with regard to the prevention of osteoporosis is available in his Department; and if that person is available for the European meeting on osteoporosis. [22484/03]

The key issues associated with osteoporosis including prevention, diagnosis and treatment, come under the remit of a number of sections within my Department. While no official has been given the lead responsibility for osteoporosis we do address this issue in a co-ordinated manner.

Decisions in relation to the attendance of officials at any international conferences are made on the basis of priority and budgetary considerations.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

159 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to provide assessment facilities in the South-Western Area Health Board now that such facilities at St. Vincent's Hospital, Athy, have been closed due to lack of funding from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22501/03]

The provision of health services in this area is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the South-Western Area Health Board acting under the aegis of the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

As the information sought by the Deputy is not held in my Department, the regional chief executive officer of the authority has been asked to investigate the matter raised and provide the information requested, to my Department, as a matter of urgency. My Department will be in touch with the Deputy when the information is to hand.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

160 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the period of time it takes to process a disabled persons grant application through the occupational therapy section of the South-Western Area Health Board, Kildare section; the number of staff allocated to the process; the number of applications for each of the past three years; the number on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22502/03]

The provision of health-related services, including occupational therapy, for people with physical and/or sensory disabilities is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

161 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which the South West Health Board will provide services whereby due to staffing shortages due to illness, maternity leave, holidays and so on, the board is not permitted to temporarily replace such staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22503/03]

The chief executive officer of each individual health board has responsibility for the management of the workforce, including the provision of appropriate replacement cover for illness, maternity leave, holidays and other forms of leave, in line with the service plan priorities, and subject to overall employment levels remaining within the authorised ceiling.

My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.

Jack Wall

Ceist:

162 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children if Naas General Hospital is now fully operational; if all the funding problems have been overcome in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22504/03]

Responsibility for the provision of services at Naas General Hospital rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to examine this issue and to reply to the Deputy directly.

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