Thursday, 21 Feb 2013

Written Answers Nos. 223-232

Graduate Statistics

Ceisteanna (223)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

223. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of graduates there are from Irish medical schools in any given year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9291/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Deputy will appreciate that the number of medical graduates from Irish medical schools can vary from year to year. The Higher Education Authority has provided the following figures for the total number of graduates from each of the six medical schools for the period 2007 to 2011, the latest year available.

Medicine Graduates 2007 to 2011
Graduation Year	National University of Ireland, Galway	Royal College of Surgeons	Trinity College Dublin	University College Cork	University College Dublin	University of Limerick
2007	94	192	134	107	198	N/A
2008	93	199	116	111	161	N/A
2009	101	175	128	116	173	N/A
2010	104	240	125	124	187	N/A
2011	103	223	125	106	149	32*

* These are graduates from the new Graduate entry Medicine course in UL.

Drug Treatment Programmes Availability

Ceisteanna (224)

Nicky McFadden

Ceist:

224. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will outline his policy towards the estimated 10,000 methadone users here; if more funding will be allocated to the small number of non-profit organisations providing detoxification programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9292/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Opioid substitution treatment services, primarily methadone provision, are well developed in Ireland. In recent years there has been particular emphasis on the provision of services across the country, with additional services being provided in Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Cork, Tralee, Limerick and Dundalk.

Over 9,500 people received opioid substitution treatment in 2012 through clinics, General Practitioners and in a prison setting. At the same time, the Government is particularly focused on ensuring that there is an increased emphasis on moving people on from drug treatment to a drug-free life where that is achievable. Detoxification programmes are carried out in a number of residential settings, as well as in community settings, organised by the statutory as well as the voluntary and community sectors. It is envisaged that this trend will continue, though increased funding is not available at this time.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (225)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

225. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant neurologists currently at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; the number of persons on the waiting list to see the consultant; the average waiting time; and the steps being taken to deal with same. [9293/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.

Prescription Charges

Ceisteanna (226)

Nicky McFadden

Ceist:

226. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will consider certain exemptions from the increased prescriptions charges, particularly for vulnerable groups such as asylum seekers, older persons and persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9302/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Medical card holders are required to pay a €1.50 charge per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €19.50 per month for each person or family. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme. There are no plans to provide for further exemptions from prescription charges.

Questions Nos. 227 and 228 answered with Question No. 220.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (229)

Ciaran Lynch

Ceist:

229. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be provided for a person (details supplied) in County Cork to enable a skin graft procedure to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9321/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The management of inpatient and daycase waiting lists for patients awaiting public health care is based on the principle that after urgent and cancer patients are treated, then clinically assessed routine patients should be seen in chronological order (i.e. longest waiter first).

Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (230)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

230. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarity on the Health Service Executive's long term plans for rehabilitation services in Navan, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9322/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Drug Treatment Programmes Availability

Ceisteanna (231)

Dominic Hannigan

Ceist:

231. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to tackle the problem of drug and alcohol addiction in counties Louth and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9329/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces receive annual funding from the Drugs Initiative of my Department to allocate to community based drugs initiatives in their areas.

The North East Regional Drugs Task Force (NERDTF) covers counties Louth and Meath and also East Cavan and Monaghan. NERDTF has been allocated €956,508 in 2013 which supports 10 projects in the region. The Health Service Executive (HSE) also provide drug and alcohol services in Counties Louth and Meath. The HSE will respond directly regarding these services.

Medical Card Reviews

Ceisteanna (232)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

232. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for medical reviews on medical card applications for first time applicants, renewals and appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9330/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.