Written Answers Nos. 193-200
193. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if funding is available for the provision of a certain therapy for a child with dyspraxia (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27640/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
194. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide funding for a modern, state-of-the-art air conditioning system for Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27641/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
195. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the monthly expenditure of the HSE on agency staff, in tabular form, from 1 January to date in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27648/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
196. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of nurses and midwives who have received their qualifications in Ireland in each year from 2009 and to date in 2016; the number of these working in the public sector in each year from 2009 and to date in 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27649/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
197. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the person who sanctioned the recent restructuring of the HSE; the process completed to assess this restructuring proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27650/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn August of this year, my Department, with the consent of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER), sanctioned in principle, the creation of an additional Deputy Director General post within the HSE. The rationale for this post is to provide more dedicated focus at the most senior level of the HSE on the twin challenges of improved operational performance in our health service on a day to day basis and the planning of a significant programme of change to equip the health service to better meet current and future health challenges. The sanction was conditional on agreement being reached on the terms and conditions attaching to the post. The Department is currently examining draft terms and conditions which will also require the approval of DPER.
Wider changes in the senior management structures within the HSE are a matter in the first instance for the Director General. I understand that an overall objective is to reduce the number of direct reports to the Director General to a more manageable number, without any overall increase in the senior manager complement. Where it is proposed to recruit existing or revised senior roles the approval of my Department and DPER will be required and my Department is currently liaising with the HSE in relation to such proposals.
198. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a person (details supplied) who is awaiting an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27652/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
199. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health if the Stretta procedure treatment for GERD gastro-oesophageal reflux is available under the treatment abroad scheme. [27665/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
200. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the status of University Hospital Waterford as a regional hospital for the south east. [27667/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUniversity Hospital Waterford is a constituent hospital in the South/SouthWest Hospital Group. The Group also includes Cork University Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital, University Hospital Kerry, South Tipperary General Hospital, Mercy University Hospital Cork, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital Cork, Bantry General Hospital, Mallow General Hospital and Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital Kilkenny.
