Written Answers Nos. 185-194
185. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of cognitive behavioural therapy whole-time equivalent posts sanctioned in each of the six mental health areas of Galway and Roscommon Primary Community and Continuing Care; the number of whole-time equivalent posts vacant at present in each area; the number of hours per week currently available to patients in each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13732/15]
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.
186. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of addiction counsellor whole-time equivalent posts sanctioned in each of the six mental health areas of Galway and Roscommon Primary Community and Continuing Care; the number of whole-time equivalent posts vacant at present in each area; the number of hours per week currently available to patients in each area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13733/15]
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.
187. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding the ambulance base at Kerry General Hospital. [13737/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, 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.
188. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 4 March 2015, his views on whether it is acceptable that the child's surgical appointment has been cancelled again at short notice for the fifth time; his further views that it is acceptable that the child was not provided with a rescheduled date; if he will intervene to ensure that the child receives an immediate appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13754/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraYou will appreciate that it is contrary to the Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2013 for me to make a direction to the HSE or a hospital to benefit or prioritise any individual person or patient.
In relation to your further query in this matter, as it is a service matter, 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.
189. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the locations where the emergency aero-medical ambulance service may transfer patients directly to the emergency depatment on arrival, without the need for a ground ambulance transfer; his plans to extend this facility to other acute hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13758/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, 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.
190. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 176 to 178 of 24 February 2015, if he will provide confirmation of the way women, no longer in treatment in the Community Employment Drug Rehabilitation Schemes, are now serviced by addiction services. [13761/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra191. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if he will provide details of the way the over 25 years of age group is now serviced by addiction services. [13778/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra192. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if he will confirm the basis for the Special Community Employment Schemes was set, focused on a model working with persons who were on methadone and attending treatment clinics, can be reconciled to meeting the needs of this reported younger cohort. [13783/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra193. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if he will confirm, out of the 936 participant clients he has confirmed as participants on special Community Employment Schemes as at December 2014, the number of those participants who were also on the Methadone Scheme. [13786/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 179 and 180 of 24 February 2015, if he will confirm out of the 824 participant clients, he has confirmed as participants on special Community Employment Schemes as at December 2012, the number of those participants who were also on the Methadone Scheme. [13787/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 190 to 194, inclusive, together.
Government policy in relation to drugs emphasises the need to provide opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use to a drug-free life where that is achievable. Drug-specific community employment schemes have made a significant contribution to the broad rehabilitation effort. This special programme is part of the integrated effort to facilitate and support participants in their ongoing recovery from problem drug use. The programme aims to enable those affected by substance misuse, including those in methadone treatment, to address those problems through helping to provide more structure to their lives and giving them opportunities to improve their skills. Participants are encouraged to continue to link in with local addiction services in order to maximise their recovery and re-engagement with community and working life.
The data contained in the Central Treatment List, which is the administrative database to regulate the dispensing of methadone treatment, is not cross-referenced with any other data source. It does not contain information on whether an individual who is in receipt of methadone treatment is participating in a Drug Specific Community Employment Scheme.
In relation to individuals who have completed participation on a Drug Specific Community Employment Scheme, access to drug treatment services is based on medical need.
I hope this clarified the matter for the Deputy.
