Written Answers Nos. 29-36
29. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason 22 beds remain closed at the Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, County Tipperary; the efforts he is making to ensure that these beds are re-opened at the earliest opportunity; the date on which they will be re-opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40994/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe bed provision at the Hospital of the Assumption was reduced by 22 in September 2011, from 67 to 45 beds. This was due to budgetary pressures within the health service and the substantial over-reliance on agency staffing to maintain the facility in the context of the moratorium.
Since earlier this year the HSE has been working on a new approach to introduce a management and operational plan for the 3 older person’s public residential services in the North Tipperary area. In this regard additional provision has been made for the appointment of 6.5 whole time nursing posts to older person services in North Tipperary.
The plan which the HSE is pursuing will see these residential services operating as one service spread over the 3 sites. This will reduce the management requirement from 3 management systems at nursing level to a single management system and a single director. Furthermore, a realignment of the skill mix and redeployment of a small number of existing staff will enhance service provision.
As a result of this ongoing process the Community Hospital of the Assumption last week increased provision from 45 to 50 beds. The matter will be kept under continuous review.
30. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the incremental extension of free GP care; if there is a timetable for its implementation; if he will elaborate on the reported legal difficulties in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40984/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra53. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify if legal complications have arisen in relation to legislation needed to roll out free GP care; if so the reason the Health Amendment Bill has been included on the legislative agenda for this Dáil term; if it is unlikely that it will be completed over the next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40971/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 53 together.
The Programme for Government committed to reforming the current public health system by introducing universal GP care without fees within the first term of office of this Government. Primary legislation is required to give effect to this commitment.
The Government approved the general scheme of a Bill in July which will enable me to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses.
The Department is currently working with the Office of the Attorney General on preparing the legislation which I expect to be published during the current session.
After the legislation has been enacted, the details of the new arrangements will be announced.
31. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health the number of public nursing home beds closed to date in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40999/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
34. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the effect that recent cuts to ring fenced funds in the mental health budget will have on commitments made in relation to the provision of mental health services this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40974/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the €35 million allocated in 2012 for the development of community mental health services; the number of posts filled; the number of posts remaining to be filled; if this sum is still ring-fenced for this purpose; if he will give a guarantee that it will not be used for other purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40987/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 64 together.
As my colleague with responsibility for Mental Health Services, Minister Kathleen Lynch has stated previously, no additional cut has been imposed on mental health. Of the 414 posts approved to implement the €35 million package of special measures for mental health introduced in Budget 2012, 353 are with the National Recruitment Service of the HSE at various stages in the recruitment process, 321 have been put to candidates to express an interest and others are awaiting competitions or the completion of essential paperwork. Most start dates are expected to be in December to allow for the process of checking references, Garda clearance etc.
Since the publication of the HSE 2012 Service Plan the HSE has subsequently decided to convert 31 of the posts originally intended for community mental health teams in the Dublin Mid-Leinster region to nursing posts in acute in-patient mental health services in the same region. This was approved in the context of introducing a nursing floor for the acute in-patient and community services in that region consistent with the provision of safe in-patient services in line with A Vision for Change, the Mental Health Commission Quality Framework for Mental Health Services in Ireland and the roll out of the clinical care programmes.
This Government remains committed to engaging these professionals as soon as is feasible and the work of completing the process remains a priority. These posts will not generate a full year cost in 2012. However, overall expenditure in mental health for 2012 is not available yet but the provisional outturn to mid-year was, like many other areas, running ahead of budget. It is not possible at this stage to say what the net end year position will be in mental health.
35. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he is responsible for decisions taken in relation to individual cuts to the health budget or if decisions taken in relation to individual cuts are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40977/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he has received communication from the Health Service Executive in relation to the budgetary reductions in various areas and the need to maintain frontline services; if he expects the need to take any corrective measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41172/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 200 together.
The HSE is overspent by €318m to the end of August and if no action is taken is projected to have a deficit of €500m at the end of the year. The HSE is facing a serious challenge and has to make very significant savings in the current year. There is intensive engagement between my Department and the Health Service Executive to address the overrun in health expenditure. In the short term to address the 2012 position I have instructed the Executive to impose cash limits on agency and overtime. Furthermore, there will be more intensive management of absenteeism, travel and subsistence will be limited, and there will be more intensive management of stocks in order to better manage cash. Other measures are also being undertaken in order to achieve a balanced budget. These include reductions on services, the use of capital to fund revenue on a once-off basis and the transfer of Department funds to the HSE on a once-off basis.
I have instructed the Executive to provide fortnightly reports on the cash situation, and the Regional Directors are being required to more intensively manage the cash so as to achieve a balanced vote. On a strategic level my Department has undertaken a number of initiatives to address concerns around financial control in the HSE. These included engaging an expert from the UK NHS to examine the financial management of the HSE and make recommendations regarding strengthening and improving the management of its finances. PA Consultancy has been engaged to prepare an Action Plan for implementation of these recommendations. In addition, a new Director General Designate has taken up position in the HSE and has been given a clear mandate in respect of controlling expenditure this year and putting forward proposals that deal with the challenge in 2013 and beyond.
My Department is working intensively with the HSE on proposals for submission to Government to address structural expenditure issues in the context of the 2013 Estimates. This includes reconfiguration of services, maximising the potential for flexibility under the Croke Park Agreement and curtailing expenditure in the Primary Care Reimbursement Service.
This is entirely appropriate and in keeping with the focus in the Programme for Government on reforming the way health services are funded and delivered to achieve greater productivity and more cost effective services.
36. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants posts that were advertised over the past year; the average length of time it took to fill these posts; the number of positions that were unable to be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40978/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
