Health Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 May 2005

Wednesday, 4 May 2005

Ceisteanna (117, 118, 119, 120, 121)

Seymour Crawford

Ceist:

144 Mr. Crawford asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress towards opening the health care centre in Cootehill, County Cavan for the use of the elderly; her views on whether it is acceptable that a new building such as this go unused for the purpose for which it was built almost three years ago; if the Health Service Executive will make sure that capital funding that has been used will be augmented by the necessary funding to run this building in a structured and organised way to give the service that was intended for the elderly and disabled in Cootehill town and district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13932/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage, deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of health services in County Cavan. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's north eastern area to investigate the matters raised as a matter of urgency and to reply direct to the Deputy.

David Stanton

Ceist:

145 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of patients categorised as chronic young sick currently placed in nursing homes and community hospitals that are, in the main, designed and set up to care for elderly patients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13933/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Accordingly, my Department has requested the national director for primary, community and continuing care of the HSE to investigate the matter raised and to reply direct to the Deputy.

David Stanton

Ceist:

146 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of steering groups and advisory groups in each of the Health Service Executive areas; the function and membership of each of these groups; the cost of each group in a full year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13934/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The information requested by the Deputy on steering and advisory groups in each of the Health Service Executive areas is a matter for the executive. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief executive officer of the executive to arrange to have the relevant information compiled and provided directly to the Deputy.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

147 Mr. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the facilities available here to facilitate kidney transplants; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that it was easier to obtain a kidney transplant here 20 years ago than it is today; if she has assessed the savings in dialysis that might be achieved by having a transplant unit here; and the costs of establishing and running such a unit. [13938/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of renal transplant services. Accordingly, my Department has requested the director of the National Hospitals' Office at the Health Service Executive to examine the issues raised and to reply to the Deputy directly.

Michael Ring

Ceist:

148 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for a triple bypass at the Mater Hospital; when this person was assessed for the by-pass; and if they are eligible for treatment under the treatment purchase scheme. [13951/05]

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. As the person in question resides in County Mayo, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's western area to investigate the matters raised, including the position in relation to the national treatment purchase fund and the person's eligibility, and to reply directly to the Deputy.