Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2007
340 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the services provided for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 with a disability; and if she will put in a long-term care plan with plans for future housing and accommodation. [7579/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
341 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of chiropodists in the Dublin area; the distribution of same; the average visiting time for patient treatment; the training requirements for chiropodists; the institutions which provide that training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7580/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver 120,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the healthcare needs of the population into the future.
Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
At present there is no school of podiatry in Ireland, however, in its "Healthcare Skills Monitoring Report" (2005) FÁS provided a quantitative analysis of demand and supply in 21 health care occupations including chiropody/podiatry. The report highlighted podiatry as among those professions where current and future supply shortages should be addressed and recommended that a school of podiatry providing 20 to 30 places be established.
Both myself and my colleague the Minister of Education and Science agree that the establishment of a school of podiatry should be prioritised and meetings are continuing at an official level between my Department, the Department of Education and Science, the Higher Education Authority and the Health Service Executive to progress the matter. Responsibility for its establishment will be a matter, in the final instance, for the Department of Education and Science.
