Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:188. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if final decisions have been made in respect of all applications to his Department for national lottery funded grants. [39952/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational Lottery Funding Applications
Ceisteanna (188, 189)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:189. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if essential national funding will be provided for a new seniors' citizens day care at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39953/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.
Over 500 applications for funding from my Department's 2013 National lottery allocation were received during the week ending 30th August, the closing date for applications. These applications are currently being assessed.
An application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy is one of a number currently under consideration. The Deputy will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.
Hospital Staff Issues
Ceisteanna (190)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:190. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time self-harm liaison nurses in the accident and emergency department of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and the typical number of these nurses who are on duty in the out-of-hours service. [39954/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (191)
Niall Collins
Ceist:191. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a new chief executive of Tallaght Hospital will be appointed as soon as possible following his recent appointment of the current chief executive; if he will appreciate the anxiety of the community that there will be no delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39963/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy with the information sought.
Special Educational Needs Services Provision
Ceisteanna (192)
Heather Humphreys
Ceist:192. Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Health if he will intervene in a case (details supplied) where a young child in County Cavan with special needs is being denied learning support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39964/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Disease Management
Ceisteanna (193)
Seán Kyne
Ceist:193. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if the National Immunisation Advisory Committee has concluded its health technology assessment of the recently-licensed Meningitis B vaccine, Bexsero, and if he has received the group's recommendation [39979/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). NIAC is a committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland comprising experts in a number of specialties including infectious diseases, paediatrics and public health. The committee's recommendations are informed by public health advice, international best practice and by the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics.
A Health Technology Assessment which includes a cost benefit analysis must be carried out prior to any new vaccines being considered. This has a vital role in ensuring that care technologies, including vaccines, are used in a manner appropriate to their ability to maximise health gain and achieve value for money.
The are currently no plans to introduce Meningococcal group B (Meningitis B) vaccine in Ireland, however should the NIAC advice recommend its inclusion into the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland, my Department, in association with the Health Service Executive National Immunisation Office will examine the issue.
Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors Working Conditions
Ceisteanna (194)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Ceist:194. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health how he intends to address the demands of non-consultant hospital doctors in view of the planned strike; if he will address the lack of progress the Health Service Executive in restructuring rosters in a fair manner; if he is committed to implementing a retention plan to prevent high emigration of Irish doctors to other countries in search of fairer working conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40103/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am committed to ensuring that non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) have safe working conditions and to achieving compliance with the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) by 2014. This is in the interest of doctors themselves and the patients under their care.
I welcome the decision of the IMO earlier this week to suspend its threat of industrial action by NCHDs. The IMO met health service management under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission on 20 September and further engagement between the parties is planned for tomorrow. In these circumstances it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the specific proposals under discussion.
However, in response to a request from me earlier this year, the HSE established a National Group to bring a clear and urgent focus to implementation of the European Working Time Directive. This Group has been working closely with hospitals during the year and progress has been achieved in relation to a number of interim targets, relating to doctors working in excess of 24 hours in a single duty/on-call shift and instances of doctors working in excess of 68 hours per week. The reorganisation of hospital rosters has been amongst the key measures pursued in order to reduce the working hours required of NCHDs. I am confident that progress will continue to be made towards the objective of full compliance with the EWTD.
I am committed to retaining doctors who are educated and trained in Ireland within the system and to improving their career pathways and working hours. At the end of July this year, I set up a working group chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU to carry out a strategic review of the medical training and career structure of NCHDs with a view to improving retention of graduates in the public health system. In particular, I want the group to set out a clear pathway for training at every level from Intern to Specialist, and to examine the potential for reducing the length of specialist training. I see this as a modernising initiative which is needed urgently. I have asked Professor MacCraith to provide an interim report to me by end November 2013 and a final report by end June 2014.