Written Answers Nos. 158-166
158. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular format, for March 2014 and March 2015 and for each local health area, the number of persons awaiting placement under the fair deal scheme; and the length of time waiting. [13665/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have 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.
159. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently awaiting placement under the fair deal scheme; the average waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13666/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 27 March 2015 (latest figures available) there are 1,426 people on the national placement list for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme with an average wait time of 11 weeks. The budget for the Scheme in 2015 is €948.8m which reflects an increase of €10m from the 2014 position. The additional €10m was allocated to the Scheme as part of a wider initiative to alleviate the problem of delayed discharges in acute hospitals and has resulted in 300 extra approvals under the Scheme.
160. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be provided to Camphill Communities of Ireland to allow it to continue its excellent work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13676/15]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
161. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health when backdated twilight payments owed to social care workers in counties Galway and Roscommon, as accepted by the Health Service Executive at a Labour Relations Commission meeting on 3 March 2015, will be paid; the reason for the delay in payment; the steps being taken to communicate and engage with workers on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13689/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this issue. If you have 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.
162. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans for the future of the Rosalie unit and for the existing services provided at Áras Naomh Chaoláin in Castlerea, County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13690/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a response within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
163. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if there are procedures in place for the notification to the Health Service Executive of all complaints of sexual abuse in respect of vulnerable adults by staff working in care centres. [13693/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra164. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if action was taken with regard to the fact that a Dublin-based care facility conducted an internal investigation into allegations of abuse by a bus driver for the centre on a disabled adult woman and that the driver was exonerated and allowed to continue in employment, even though the driver was found guilty of this offence by the courts and given a custodial sentence in March 2015. [13694/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 163 and 164 together.
The notification of allegations of any/ all complaints of any abuse, sexual or otherwise, in relation to vulnerable adults by staff working in care centres should be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for investigation under its new National Policy and Procedures for Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse that I launched with the HSE on 5 December, 2014, which clears the way for staff members in HSE and non-HSE facilities, and members of the public, to refer allegations of abuse to designated reporting individuals.
As you may be aware, on 16 December, 2014, Mr. Tony O'Brien, Director General, HSE, announced the appointment of Ms. Leigh Gath as "Confidential Recipient" for the Health Service on foot of events at Áras Attracta, Swinford, Co. Mayo. The Confidential Recipient is independent in her functions with the authority to examine complaints or disclosures of abuse of vulnerable persons in receipt of HSE funded services and has the authority to:
- Independently advise and assist individuals on the best course of action to take to raise matters of concern;
- Assist with the referral and examination of concerns; and
- Ensure these matters are appropriately addressed by the HSE and its funded agencies.
In view of the seriousness of the matter raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide a report to me and I will contact the Deputy once I have received and considered the report.
165. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment at Galway University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13701/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver health services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister from directing the HSE to provide treatment or a personal service to any individual.
The 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 should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
166. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if replacement contracts relating to physiotherapy and speech and occupational therapy posts filled during maternity leave are extended where the post holder on leave decides to extend their absence by means of unpaid leave; if such temporary posts are the subject of the standard recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13713/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this issue. If you have 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.
