Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:157. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the six-monthly scale and polish entitlement under the dental treatment services scheme in 2009. [15149/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDental Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (157)
Freagraí scríofa
The HSE advises that expenditure on prophylaxis, i.e. scaling and polishing, under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme was €7.8 million in 2009.
Dental Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (158)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:158. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on the extended gum cleaning entitlement under the dental treatment services scheme in 2009. [15150/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE advises that expenditure on protracted periodontal treatment under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme was €8.9 million in 2009.
Dental Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (159)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:159. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on fillings under the dental treatment services scheme in 2009. [15151/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE advises that expenditure on amalgam and composite restorations, i.e. dental fillings, under the Dental Treatment Services Scheme was €20.5 million in 2009.
General Medical Services Scheme Expenditure
Ceisteanna (160)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:160. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his Department’s estimate of the cost of introducing free general practitioner care for all citizens was between €330 million and €365 million, excluding those younger than six and older than 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15152/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Previously, an estimate of the additional cost of providing a universal general practice service to the entire population was made, based on the then scope of services and rates of payments and eligibility, which was in the region of €330 million and €365 million. This estimate included costs related to the provision of the service to children under six 6 years of age and to all persons over 70 years of age. However, the basis of that estimate was made prior to the fees being set for the new enhanced services to be provided in accordance with the under 6s GP contract, which includes age-based preventive checks focused on health and well-being and the prevention of disease, including asthma care.
The Deputy will be aware that following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health and the Irish Medical Organisation in 2015, the parties are currently engaged in a comprehensive review of the General Medical Services (GMS) and other publicly funded health sector contracts involving GPs. Depending on the outcome of these negotiations, and their implications for the future scope and content of the service and the relevant fees and payments to GPs, the actual costs of extending free GP care to all citizens may vary from any estimates previously provided, as these are produced on the basis of current costs at a given point in time.
Health Services Access
Ceisteanna (161)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:161. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce the waiting time for places in the national rehabilitation unit in Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15153/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As 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.
Question No. 162 answered with Question No. 124.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Ceisteanna (163)
Robert Troy
Ceist:163. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 642 of 31 May 2016 if he will prioritise a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15157/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With regard to the further correspondence received from the Deputy, as 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.
Hospital Equipment
Ceisteanna (164)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:164. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health his views that two dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scanners at University Hospital Galway are not functioning due to staff shortages and cutbacks, notwithstanding the 20 year waiting list in this region; and the immediate steps needed to allow the machines to function. [15158/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Galway University Hospitals, comprising of University Hospital Galway (UHG) and Merlin Park University Hospital, provide a comprehensive range of services to emergency and elective patients on an inpatient, outpatient and day care basis across the two sites.
An issue has arisen with respect to the operation of the DEXA scanner situated at Merlin Park Hospital. I have been advised by the Saolta Health Care Group that the bone-density scanning service has been impacted by a shortage of radiographers. As a result, a waiting list has built up.
Galway University Hospitals are currently actively working to recruit radiographers in order to fill a number of vacancies. One successful candidate will commence work in early July. An additional five individuals have been offered posts and are currently in the process of appointment. Recruitment to three further posts is ongoing.
Saolta has advised that GUH plans to treat all patients booked into the bone density scanner service up to the end of June 2016.
The Saolta Group and the HSE are working to put the necessary arrangements in place to ensure the continuity of services from July. In the interim period until the newly-recruited radiographers have taken up their posts, the Hospital Group is progressing a range of options, including staff overtime and outsourcing in order to ensure service continuity for patients.
It is also important to note that major developments are ongoing and planned for Galway University Hospitals. The Programme for a Partnership Government has committed to progressing a new Emergency Department facility. Also construction work is ongoing on the new 75 bed ward block as well as a new acute mental health department at the Hospital.
Cancer Services Provision
Ceisteanna (165)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:165. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is taking action or implementing measures to tackle statistics outlined in the recent National Cancer Registry of Ireland report into cancer rates in Cobh, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15161/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is no newly published report setting out higher rates of cancer in the Cobh area. The National Cancer Registry is the statutory agency with responsibility for the collection and analysis of data relating to number of cancer cases. Analysis conducted by the Registry for the periods 1994-2007 and 2004-2013 indicated that Cobh Urban Electoral District had a higher cancer incidence rate than the national rate.
Cancer incidence is reported as average figures and there will always be local variations above and below the average. This is particularly true when looking at a small population area, such as Cobh, relative to the national population.
My Department is currently developing a new National Cancer Strategy 2016 - 2025 which is likely to focus on prevention, early diagnosis, further improvements in treatment, rare cancers, survivorship and high quality, patient-centred care. This Strategy will be published in the coming months.