Written Answers Nos. 479-496
479. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health beds available for under 18 year olds; the number of these beds used in 2014; and the mental health outpatient services available for under 18 year olds. [4887/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
480. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the accident and emergency figures for Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, for 27 January 2015 and for the previous week; and the average response times for the ambulance service call-outs for Beaumont Hospital in 2014 and to date in 2015. [4888/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
481. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if a full-time bone marrow transplant consultant will be appointed to Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9. [4898/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
482. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health posts that were approved in 2013 and still remain unfilled. [4899/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2013, a special allocation of €35m and 477 additional posts were provided for mental health to be used primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both adult and children's mental health services, to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention, to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems and to facilitate the re-location of mental health service users from institutional care to more independent living arrangements in their communities, in line with A Vision for Change.
The recruitment process for the posts approved in 2013 is continuing with 367.5 or 78% of the posts filled as at end December 2014, with a further 4 posts with agreed start dates. Other posts are at various stages of the recruitment process. There are, however, a number of posts for which there are difficulties in identifying suitable candidates due to factors including availability of qualified candidates and geographic location. The HSE's National Recruitment Service is currently working to ensure that the remaining posts will be filled as soon as possible, from existing panels or through competition in the absence of panels.
483. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if transport to and from hospitals in Dublin will be provided or paid for by his Department or the Health Service Executive in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4925/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
484. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding St. Joseph's Hospital, Ardee, County Louth; the outcome of the proposed spend of the budget of €750,000; in view of the planning application of 23 December by the Health Service Executive lodged to Louth County Council, if the plan has the Health Information and Quality Authority guaranteed approval; the actual budget provided; if there is any truth in reports that agreements have been made between the HSE and HIQA to postpone 2015 standards, in public facilities, for a period of three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4928/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
485. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Donegal with high medical needs, that is, complex disabilities, life limiting diseases and terminal illnesses. [4930/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
486. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the introduction of BreastCheck for women aged 65 to 69; when the first cohort of women aged 65 will be called; when the first cohort of women aged 66 will be called; when the first cohort of women aged 67 will be called; when the first cohort of women aged 68 will be called; when the first cohort of women aged 69 will be called; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4940/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlanning for the age extension of BreastCheck to 65 - 69 year olds is underway and screening of the extended cohort will commence in Quarter 4 of 2015. The additional eligible population is approximately 100,000 and, when fully implemented, 540,000 women will be included in the BreastCheck Programme.
To accommodate such a substantial increase safely and effectively, it will be necessary for BreastCheck to implement the extended screening on a phased basis. All women involved in breast screening are offered screening every two years and this complicates the organisation of an age extension. The broad approach will involve those who are under the current programme having their period of screening extended until they reach 69 years of age. Accordingly, those aged 65 will be the first to be invited.
Exact details of when women of each age will be invited will be worked out as part of the ongoing planning process.
Women of any age who have concerns about breast cancer should seek the advice of their GP who will, if appropriate, refer them to the symptomatic breast services in one of the eight designated cancer centres.
487. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with heart failure here; the estimated cost of treating the condition on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4945/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatistics on the number of persons with heart failure or the cost of treatment are not routinely available.
The number of patients hospitalised with a diagnosis of heart failure in 2013 was 21,725. It should be noted, however, that if a patient is admitted to hospital more than once in 2013, each admission is counted separately. For this reason, this data should not be interpreted as a prevalence estimate for this condition.
In 2010, the Quarterly National Household Survey Health Module conducted by the Central Statistics Office showed that 1% of adults aged 18 years and over declared that they have had a doctor diagnosed health condition of heart failure.
488. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the way he will address the disturbing revelations of the unacceptable and poor standards of care at certain parts of Áras Attracta, County Mayo. [4947/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra489. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the measures that are in place to ensure the highest standards of care at residential facilities for persons with a disability; and the method and frequency of inspections to ensure continued observations of such standards. [4948/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 488 and 489 together.
Like others, I was shocked and distressed by the revelations of extremely poor and unacceptable standards of care and mistreatment of vulnerable adults in Áras Attracta. Every person who uses our disability services is entitled to expect and receive supports of the highest standard and to live in an atmosphere of safety and care.
The safeguarding and protection of vulnerable people in the care of the health service is of paramount importance and the Director General of the HSE has written to all staff instructing them to take personal responsibility for ensuring that individuals supported by the HSE in any setting are treated with dignity and respect.
In December 2014 the HSE initiated both an expert investigation chaired by Mr. Christy Lynch, and an independently chaired review of services at this facility led by Dr. Kevin McCoy. Mr Lynch’s investigation team is working independently of the HSE and its findings will be a precursor to any disciplinary process consideration at which the HSE will undertake.
Dr. McCoy is undertaking an Assurance Review of the services at Áras Attracta and the final report will include an individual plan for improvement in each bungalow within the complex. The review will identify system wide learning involving engagement with relevant expertise as well as input from staff.
A Garda investigation into allegations of abuse at the centre is ongoing and the gardaí had requested that a stay be placed on HSE investigations until such time as the Garda investigation is completed. However, the HSE has informed me that the gardaí have now cleared the way for the investigation to commence.
The HSE has undertaken a number of additional initiatives to ensure that quality and safe care in residential services for people with disabilities is appropriately implemented and monitored, including:
- The establishment of a National Implementation Taskforce, including a series of National Summits to improve client safety, dignity, respect and culture;
- Implementation of the National Policy & Procedures on Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse;
- Development of an advocacy programme;
- Implementation of an evaluation and quality improvement programme in disability residential centres;
- Development of an implementation plan for any recommendations arising from the McCoy review of residential services in Áras Attracta when complete and,
- Development of long-term sustainable & evidence-based safeguarding practices and training programmes specific to residential settings.
I have asked the HSE to keep me informed of progress.
I am informed that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) commenced the regulation of residential centres for people with disabilities in November 2013. The purpose of this regulatory process is to ensure that service providers deliver a safe and good quality service to people with disabilities. Where HIQA finds that this is not the case, providers are required to take action to address the issues identified.
In 2014, HIQA conducted 603 inspections of designated centres, and 116 centres received two or more inspections.
490. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the levels of accountability in the Health Service Executive nationally when members of the public write to express concern or complain about a subject; if each letter or e-mail is responded to; if all such items of correspondence are logged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4953/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to assure the Deputy that when any member of the public writes to the HSE expressing concern it is given due consideration and the appropriate attention.
As this is a service issue I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
491. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an immediate appointment will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [4960/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
492. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive urgently needed hearing aids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4990/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
493. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of all bonus payments to chief executives of commercial semi-State agencies paid in each year from 2011 to 2014 under the remit of his Department; if bonuses were withheld by commercial semi-State companies during the period; the reasons for withholding of bonuses; the current policy regarding the payment of bonuses in the commercial semi-State sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5202/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Voluntary Health Insurance Board is the only commercial semi-state agency under the aegis of my department. The Chief Executive of this company did not receive any bonus payments from 2011 to 2014 and there is no provision for bonus payments in his contract. In 2013 the Government reviewed the position on the payment of performance related reward schemes or bonuses for Chief Executive Officers in Commercial State Companies and agreed to continue with the policy which it introduced in 2011 of requesting the State Companies concerned not to award such bonus payments in light of the serious state of the public finances. Furthermore the Government agreed to continue with the practice of excluding the payment of bonus provisions in the employment contracts of newly appointed CEOs to such State Companies as well as in respect of contract renewals for incumbent CEOs.
494. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, for the years 2007 to 2010 the total photography costs in his Department, including a list of which photographers were booked, the photographers used and a breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4494/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost of photography in my Department from 2007 to 2010 is as set out in the following table. The total costs include all official photography charged to the Department over this period. As the Deputy will see from the table, there was a higher-than-average spend in 2008. This was the result of an increase in the number of State and official events, such as visits by the President of Estonia, the President of the European Commission and a State visit by the leader of the Czech Republic. In September 2011, my Department led a collaborative advertised tender process for the procurement of a multi-supplier competitive framework of photographic service providers.
This is now available for use by all Government Departments. Details of the framework arrangements and the photographers used are posted on the National Procurement Service website: www.procurement.ie/suppliers/contracts/1298.
The purpose of this framework is to ensure Departments’ compliance with EU procurement rules and to ensure value for money by having a competitive process for photographic assignments.
In the time available it is not possible to give a complete breakdown of the costs associated with each event.
Table
|
2007 |
53,955.45 |
|
2008 |
86,144.68 |
|
2009 |
37,107.30 |
|
2010 |
36,629.23 |
|
Total |
213,836.66 |
495. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide, in tabular form, for the years 1997 to 2007 the total photography costs in his Department, including a list of which photographers were booked, the photographers used and a breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4510/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost of photography in my Department from 1997 to 2007 was the subject of a previous question in December 2007 and the figures provided at that time are set out in the following table. In September 2011, my Department led a collaborative advertised tender process for the procurement of a multi-supplier competitive framework of photographic service providers. This is now available for use by all Government Departments. Details of the framework arrangements and the photographers used are posted on the National Procurement Service website: www.procurement.ie/suppliers/contracts/1298.
The purpose of this framework is to ensure Departments’ compliance with EU procurement rules and to ensure value for money by having a competitive process for photographic assignments.
In the time available it is not possible to give a complete breakdown of the costs associated with each event.
|
Year |
€ |
|
1997 |
€4,237.70 |
|
1998 |
€3,633.34 |
|
1999 |
€5,433.23 |
|
2000 |
€7,425.90 |
|
2001 |
€11,517.24 |
|
2002 |
€18,509.35 |
|
2003 |
€9,503.71 |
|
2004 |
€44,342.54 |
|
2005 |
€29,306.70 |
|
2006 |
€84,263.13 |
|
2007 |
€53,955.45 |
|
Total |
€272,127.63 |
496. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the flag over his Department's building was flown at half mast on 23 January 2015 to mark the death of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia; and if his Department requested that other Department buildings do the same. [4518/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra499. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he approved the lowering of the national flag over his Department's building on St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, on 23 January 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4569/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 499 together.
On the occasion of the death in office of Heads of State or Government, or other figures holding high office in the international community such as Foreign Ministers or others, the condolences of the Irish authorities can be expressed in a number of ways. Following the death recently of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Ireland’s Ambassador in Riyadh offered condolences and attended the traditional occasion for the paying of respects. The Book of Condolences at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia was also signed by an official of my Department. The national flag was not flown at half mast over the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on this occasion.
