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Wednesday, 18 Dec 2013

Written Answers Nos. 266-273

Health Services

Ceisteanna (266)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

266. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied) in the care of the Health Service Executive. [54715/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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.

Bullying in the Workplace

Ceisteanna (267)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

267. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if board members covered up to instances of bullying by a day care manager at the Central Remedial Clinic; and if all proper channels were explored. [54716/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Prescription Charges

Ceisteanna (268)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

268. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding prescription charges in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [54717/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointment Status

Ceisteanna (269)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

269. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [54718/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.

Dental Services Provision

Ceisteanna (270)

Derek Keating

Ceist:

270. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop a full dental service for children, unemployed people, medical card holders and those paying full PRSI contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54732/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Public Dental Service of the HSE provides dental services for children up to 16 years of age and persons with special needs through its dental clinics. All HSE dental clinics prioritise emergency care for children up to 16 years of age, treatment for special needs patients and screening of children aged from 11 to 13 years, including referral for orthodontic services where necessary. Other services, including screening of children 6 to 8 years, are provided but may be deferred in clinics where there is pressure on resources. The HSE Public Dental Service has recently been re-structured. It is intended that the new arrangements will facilitate standardisation of services available nationally.

The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for adult medical card holders. The service is provided by contracted dentists. The HSE prioritises for treatment patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs. A free oral examination every calendar year and free emergency dental treatment with a focus on relief of pain and sepsis are available to all eligible patients, regardless of their medical condition. This includes 2 fillings, all extractions, including surgical extractions, and a number of complex treatments. The HSE will continue to monitor the operation of the DTSS to ensure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of available resources. Responsibility for the Treatment Benefit Scheme, which provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions, lies with the Minister for Social Protection.

Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (271)

Derek Keating

Ceist:

271. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop a full eye test service for children, unemployed people, medical card holders and those paying full PRSI contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54733/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Children under 6 years of age and children of primary school age are provided with an optical screening service by the HSE. Any refractive errors are treated and spectacles or other appropriate care is provided where necessary. Children between 12 and 16 years, whose parents are in receipt of a medical card are eligible for HSE eyecare services when they are named on their parents' cards. Other children between 12 and 16 years are eligible to be seen by a HSE eye doctor when there is a medical reason for the eye condition, rather than a refractive error. Such patients may be referred for treatment after being examined by an optometrist. In addition, eye testing, treatment and optical appliances are available to medical card holders. Responsibility for the Treatment Benefit Scheme, which provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers and retired people who have the required number of PRSI contributions, lies with the Minister for Social Protection.

HSE Expenditure

Ceisteanna (272)

John Halligan

Ceist:

272. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Health the cost to the State of Health Service Executive agency doctors at Waterford Regional Hospital in 2013; the cost in each of the years 2009 to 2012, inclusive; the average monthly cost of agency doctors at Waterford Regional Hospital in 2013; in comparison, the amount it would have cost the State to have these posts permanently filled during the same periods; his views on whether this is an economic use of State funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54739/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to revert to the Deputy with the information sought concerning agency costs.

The great majority of NCHD posts are filled at present. However there are a number of vacancies, mainly in smaller hospitals and in certain specialties, including Emergency Medicine and General Medicine at Registrar level. Filling these posts represents a significant challenge given that there are shortages internationally, there is a competitive market and it can be more difficult to attract doctors to smaller hospitals. Where sites, such as Waterford, continue to experience challenges in terms of vacancies, hospital management implement contingency plans. If necessary, hospitals make locum arrangements to ensure continued service delivery. While I would wish to see appointments made to fill these posts, the reality is that in many instances suitable candidates cannot be sourced and locums have to be used in order to ensure service delivery.

I am committed to improving the working-conditions of NCHDs, to ensuring that they can have a suitable career pathway within the Irish health system and to making all posts as attractive as possible. Intensive work is underway in all hospitals to pursue compliance with the European Working Time Directive on NCHDs’ working-hours. The immediate focus, involving the HSE, hospital management, the IMO and NCHDs, is on eliminating shifts in excess of 24 hours. In 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. I see this as a modernising initiative which is needed urgently and which will, in future years, support the retention of sufficient numbers of doctors trained in Ireland within the system. I have recently received the interim report of the Group, to be published shortly, and the final report is to be submitted to me by June 2014. System reform, in particular the implementation of the Report on Hospital Groups and the Framework for the Development of Smaller Hospitals will also assist, through achievement of a more focused and efficient deployment of NCHD staffing.

Ministerial Advisers Remuneration

Ceisteanna (273)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

273. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the names and amount by which each programme manager or special adviser in his Department has exceeded the relevant pay guidelines as laid down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54753/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The pay rates being applied to the special advisors employed in my Department are in accordance with the relevant pay guidelines.

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