Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
146 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who has had to wait 12 months for an occupational therapist to visit their home; her views on whether such a long wait is unacceptable; and if the Southern Western Area Health Board will give greater priority to this person and others like them awaiting assessment. [23143/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
147 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the current waiting list for occupational therapy in the South Western Area Health Board has been exacerbated by the embargo on recruitment since early 2003; if her attention has been further been drawn to the fact that the occupational therapy department of the South Western Area Health Board, community care area 3, has less than 50% of their staffing complement; and the measures he proposes to take to address this scandalous situation. [23144/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the provision of occupational therapy services and human resource planning rests in this instance with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore requested the regional chief executive to investigate the matters raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.
