Written Answers Nos. 358-375
358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which budgetary constraints have been applied evenly throughout the health services, with particular reference to ensure the need to maintain frontline services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8033/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra365. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which it is intended and expected to apply savings across the health services in such a way as to ensure that extra cost-cutting is not required towards the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8040/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 365 together.
The level of health services to be delivered within the available funding has been set out in the HSE National Service Plan, which I approved in January. The National Operational Plan is being developed to support the implementation of the NSP 2013. It is intended to finalise the HSE Operational Plan by end February in parallel with the finalisation of regional service plans, and following finalisation, the HSE Operational Plan: Implementing the HSE National Service Plan 2013 will be published.
As I have outlined in this House on previous occasions, I have instructed the HSE that efficiencies must be achieved in the first instance before patient services are affected, and in this regard patient safety must be paramount. As regards regular monitoring of expenditure, there is intensive engagement between officials from my Department and the HSE each month. My Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE are working collaboratively on a Financial Improvement Programme with a view to strengthening the Executive's financial and performance management and reporting systems during 2013.
360. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of nurses required in the public health sector in the current year; the number available by way of permanent and or temporary appointment; the number likely to be drawn from agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8035/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. I have asked the Executive to compile the information requested by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
361. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of nurses currently employed in the private sector throughout the health services; the extent to which a comparison is made with the public sector in terms of numbers and pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8036/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither my Department nor the HSE has a function in relation to the number of nurses employed in the private sector. The numbers requested by the Deputy are therefore not available. The Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012 provides for equal treatment as between temporary agency workers and direct employees in relation to basic working and employment conditions. Therefore workers employed by a private employment agency and working in the HSE are covered by these provisions.
362. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of non-consultant hospital doctors required in the public health service in the current year; the numbers likely to be available; their expected level of pay in view of competition from the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8037/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. I have asked the Executive to compile the information requested by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.
363. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of procedures, medical and surgical, to include day procedures and more extended treatments carried out in the private and public sectors in the past 12 months; the extent to which costs for comparable procedures have been compared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8038/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for investigation and direct reply.
364. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the full complement of general hospital beds currently available on a regional basis throughout the country in the public health sector; the number of similar beds in the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8039/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for investigation and direct reply.
366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which he will continue to support public sector nursing homes and hospitals caring for older persons in view of the high quality of service available to the public sector, notwithstanding competition from the private sector; if he will ensure that the application of standards by the Health Information and Quality Authority of Ireland are not used as a means to increase the costs in the public sector over the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8041/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth myself and my colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly are committed to the provision of a public nursing home service. At the request of the Minister, the HSE has reviewed the status of its long stay nursing homes, focusing on areas such as ability to meet HIQA standards, environmental issues including age and structure, and location. This review will inform the formulation by the HSE, in collaboration with my Department, of a comprehensive proposal on this issue for the Minister’s consideration.
This Government is committed to enhancing the quality of life of older people, maintaining their full potential, supporting them in their homes and communities, providing access to respite care and day care and, when required, providing access to appropriate quality long-term residential care. Our system of regulation and inspection for the nursing home sector was established for the sole purpose of ensuring safety and quality of care for residents and the National Quality Standards that the Deputy refers to are a key component in ensuring this. All nursing homes for older people, whether public, private or voluntary, are subject to the same core standards in relation to quality and safety.
367. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the position at St. Bridget’s nursing home, Crooksling, County Dublin with a view to increasing the number of patients there in line with previous levels and that daycare and community service will continue to be supported in line with tradition given the strong community support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8042/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt. Brigid’s Nursing Home, Crooksling was registered as a designated centre for older people by the Health Information and Quality Authority on 25 June 2012.
Prior to registration, significant remedial works were carried out at St. Brigid’s to meet fire safety requirements. The Deputy will be aware that the upper units were closed as HSE considered them not to be in a good infrastructural condition.
The HSE has confirmed that 66 beds will remain at present in the newly upgraded lower units and where vacancies arise they will be filled to maintain this capacity. Of these 66 beds, 5 provide a respite service. In addition, day care is provided to an average of 20 patients per day Monday to Friday.
368. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that in Europe and the USA bilateral implantation of cochlear implants is standard practice; if it is the case that for resource reasons in this State the standard practice is to use only one cochlear implant; if he will give consideration to changing this practice and move towards bilateral implantation; his views on whether deafness can allow children to be cut off from society and that every effort should be made to ensure children born deaf can play a full role in society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8043/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2009 the UK’s National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended simultaneous bilateral cochlear implantation as best practice for children. No dedicated programme for simultaneous or sequential implantation is being carried out in Ireland at this time. However, some bilateral implantation has already occurred for patients, mainly very young children with certain medical conditions such as a history of meningitis or blindness.
I understand that Beaumont Hospital, HSE Management and the HSE’s Audiology Clinical Care Programme (ACCP)have met recently to discuss a joint process to identify the options for developing and resourcing a programme of simultaneous cochlear implantation in children into the future. An important element of this will be the development of clear clinical criteria to prioritise clients for assessment and follow on implantation.
In relation to services for the deaf the Health Service Executive provides funding of in excess of €4m annually to DeafHear (formerly the National Association for the Deaf) to provide a range of services to over 32,500 deaf and hard of hearing people and their families. Some of the services provided by DeafHear include Personal and Family Support Services, an Assistive Technology Service, a Citizens Information Service, Speedtext which assists deaf and hard of hearing people to participate fully in meetings, educational courses etc. and Hearing and Communication Therapy. In addition, DeafHear provide Deaf and Hearing Awareness Training to public and private sectors, bridging the gap between service providers and deaf consumers.
The HSE also provides funding of approximately €4m annually to the Catholic Institute for Deaf People, towards the provision of the residence accommodation at the following services; St. Joseph's School and Residence for Deaf Boys; St. Mary's School and Residence for Deaf Girls; St. Joseph's House for Adult Deaf and Deaf Blind. The school programmes are funded by the Department of Education and Skills.
The HSE National Audiology Review Group Report, published in April 2011, made recommendations to address inconsistencies and shortcomings in audiology services.These recommendations are currently being implemented and are expected to provide improvements in audiology services throughout the country. All aspects of audiology patient management are currently being reviewed with an aim to provide an equal, efficient and effective clinical service. The recommendations being implemented include:
- An Audiology Clinical Care Programme has been put in place under the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate;
- Newborn hearing screening programme has now been rolled out in HSE South, Dublin Mid Leinster and Dublin North East and is scheduled for roll out to HSE West later in 2013.
- A National Clinical Lead for Audiology post will be filled on 1 March 2013 and four Assistant Lead posts will be filled in the 2nd Quarter of 2013
- A unified career structure is being developed; The HSE has sponsored 10 M.Sc. in Audiology students, who will be ready to enter the workforce in the 3rd Quarter of 2013;
- Systems for the collation of activity data and patient management are being developed;
- A procurement exercise for the purchasing of hearing aids, hearing aid fitting systems and audiological assessment equipment has been completed;
- The Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Programme has commenced and roll out will be completed in 2013.
369. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent on outsourced security services in his Department; and if he will provide details of the companies providing these services. [8476/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraSecurity services for my Department are provided by Noonan Services Group Ltd. The total cost for these services in 2012 was €23,675.74 (inclusive of Vat) .
370. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent on outsourced cleaning services in his Department; and if he will provide details of the companies providing these services. [8490/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraCleaning services for my Department are provided by Direct Cleaning Services. The total cost for this service in 2012 was €229,461.61 (inclusive of Vat).
371. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an analysis of the per capita spend by his Department on a regional basis with regard to current and capital spends in the area of transport . [7882/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s Vote 31 budget allocations and provisional outturns are published and available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department's gross provisional outturn for 2012 expenditure totalled €2.050m comprising current expenditure of €825m and capital expenditure of €1,225m.
I am not clear as to the information being sought by the Deputy in relation to regional information. It is not possible to set out across the entire range of expenditure where the funds are spent because that information is not maintained. A further issue is that much of the spending is channelled through the Department's agencies. A certain amount of information in relation to expenditure for example on regional and local roads can be set out on a county basis. A comparable break-down of all of the public transport subvention would not be possible. I would be happy to assist the Deputy further in response to a more specific request.
372. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a driving licence in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7782/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe operation of the driver licensing system is a matter for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and I have no power to intervene in individual cases. As such, I have referred this matter to the RSA for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, please contact my private office.
373. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will list in tabular form, the bus routes that operated in County Meath in January 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013; if he will give details of any diminution of service and the reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7930/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
374. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount spent on outsourced security services in his Department; and if he will provide details of the companies providing these services. [8480/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total amount spent on outsourced cleaning services in his Department; and if he will provide details of the companies providing these services. [8494/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is in the process of being compiled at present. I will forward the information as soon as possible.
