Written Answers Nos. 225-234
225. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that there is sufficient oral and dental hygiene programmes available in schools and the broader community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6295/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
226. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if his Department will be undertaking health promotion campaigns in relation to oral and dental hygiene aimed at children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6296/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
227. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of his plans to further expand early supported discharge services for stroke patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6297/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent National Stroke Audit reported that patients who suffer a stroke in Ireland now have a better chance of surviving and with less disability; and that the health service has made significant cost savings in terms of saved bed days, people returning to work and reduced costs of residential care.
There are already 3 Early Supported Discharge (ESD) pilot sites for stroke at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and HSE North Dublin, Galway University Hospitals and Tallaght Hospital. Good clinical outcomes and high patient and care satisfaction rates are reported across all three sites.
There is a business case available to the HSE for the expansion of the HSE’s National Stroke Programme and the Irish Heart Foundation submitted a business case for the expansion of ESD services. Funding of such service developments are a function of the annual Estimates process; and it is in this context that the expansion concerned will be pursued this year.
228. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if respite care services have ceased and are no longer being offered to service users at a facility (details supplied) in County Donegal; if so, the reason this decision was taken; the alternative arrangements in place for service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6311/17]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
229. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be transferred to the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire for rehabilitation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6339/17]
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.
230. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of commissions of inquiries or other formal investigations or inquiries being conducted in his Department; the name of these; the date they were established; the expected date the work is intended to be completed; the cost incurred to date; the estimated final cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6360/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no Commissions of Investigation under the terms of the Commission of Investigation Act, 2004 or formal investigations or inquiries being conducted in the Department.
In the main, bodies such as the Health Service Executive or the Health Information and Quality Authority carry out investigations or inquiries into health related issues.
231. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if he will allocate additional funding for the provision of home help hours through the community service organisations in counties Carlow and Kilkenny to alleviate the exorbitant waiting lists and to improve access to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6369/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
232. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) including when the person can expect an appointment with the neurology department, Temple Street Hospital, Dublin. [6370/17]
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 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.
233. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for an appointment with an occupational therapist with the occupational therapy services in Dublin south central; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6373/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
234. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age on the waiting list for occupational therapy in Dublin south central, in tabular form; the number of children who have been waiting zero to three months, three to six months, six to nine months, nine to 18 months and more than 18 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6375/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
