Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:143 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the arrangements in place for eyesight and hearing testing at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin. [17985/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 31 May 2005
Ceisteanna (136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141)
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:144 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the contacts which took place with the South Western Area Health Board regarding eyesight and hearing testing for a person at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason no tests subsequently took place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17986/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:145 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the South Western Area Health Board is unable to guarantee that senior infants will be tested for eyesight and hearing problems this year or next at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin; the measures or funding she intends to provide in order that this problem does not recur; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17987/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:146 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of pupils tested over the past five years, including 2005, at junior cycle level in all junior schools in Lucan, Clondalkin, Newcastle, Saggart, Rathcoole, Brittas and Palmerstown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17988/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Nicholas Gogarty
Ceist:147 Mr. Gogarty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the primary schools in Lucan, Clondalkin, Newcastle, Saggart, Rathcoole, Brittas and Palmerstown which have not been provided with eyesight and hearing testing during the 2004-05 school year; the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17989/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 to 147, inclusive, together.
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 school health checks. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matter raised and reply directly to the Deputy.
Arthur Morgan
Ceist:148 Mr. Morgan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, further to Question No. 109 of 5 May 2005, when an independent medical expert will be appointed to examine the practice of symphysiotomy in this State; when special identifier cards will be made available to victims of symphysiotomy; if independent clinical advice, home-help and home modifications will be provided (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17991/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I indicated to the Deputy in my reply dated 5 May 2005, my predecessor, Deputy Martin, met the Survivors of Symphysiotomy, SOS, group in late 2003 and agreed that a range of measures would be put in place to support the group. In respect of the particular matters raised by the Deputy, my Department is advised by the Health Service Executive, HSE, that the current position is that it is finalising arrangements to issue replacement medical cards which will contain a special patient identifier which will allow for the fast-tracking of patients requiring hospital appointments and treatments, together with the provision of certain non-GMS items recommended for patients by their GP or consultant. In addition, independent clinical advice is available, on request, through the designated liaison personnel in each region to patients who have undergone symphysiotomy. This has already been availed of by a number of members of SOS and appropriate follow-up has been arranged. Moreover, the HSE has advised that applications for home help and home modifications will be dealt with on an individual basis in each HSE community care area. The liaison personnel can assist in the fast-tracking of such applications if necessary.
Finally, the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, had been exploring the idea of engaging an expert from abroad to advise on the practice of symphysiotomy. It did not prove possible to source an expert who would be acceptable to the various interests.