Written Answers Nos. 517 - 541
517. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for speech and language therapy in health centres in County Wicklow; the average waiting time for persons to be seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7285/17]
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.
518. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for access to the early intervention team in health centres in County Wicklow; the average waiting time for persons to be seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7286/17]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
519. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a list of mental health services available in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7287/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
520. Deputy Josepha Madigan asked the Minister for Health his plans for the Central Mental Hospital site in Dundrum; if a notice to sell has been served by the trustees to his Department or the HSE; if the site has been valued; when it is due for sale; the names of the persons who are the trustees; if the proceeds of the sale will be ring-fenced for mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7290/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
521. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his views on whether a planned review of a school (details supplied) is still warranted in view of the fact the terms of reference have not yet been agreed despite the review having been first mooted in June 2016. [7295/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra522. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health further to his e-mail of 22 June 2016 (details supplied), the way in which this statement tallies with an e-mail from a person of 16 January 2017 detailing the levels of funding from HSE to the service and school over the years 2012 to 2016, showing a reduction in €130,000 over those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7296/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 521 and 522 together.
The 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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
524. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop and implement a new oral health strategy as recommended by the Irish Dental Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7306/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Oral Health Policy, which the Department of Health is currently developing, will inform future provision of dental services. This three-year project which is being led by the Chief Dental Officer commenced in 2014, is due to be completed later this year.
525. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the number of dental surgeons currently employed by the HSE, by county; and in each of the years since 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7307/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for reply to the Deputy.
526. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase the limited budget for patient transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7310/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
527. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents who have been waiting less than six months; between six and 12 months; between 12 and 18 months; between 18 and 24 months; between 24 and 48 months; and more than 48 months for initial referral for a full dental examination at a HSE clinic in counties Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal and Cavan, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7313/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for reply to the Deputy.
528. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason no substantive reply was received to a letter (details supplied) which was acknowledged by his Department on 8 September 2016; the number of other letters dated on this date or prior to it similarly not replied to; when this Deputy will receive a reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7314/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI apologise for the delay in responding to the Deputy's letter.
My Department is aware that there have been a number of meetings between Hand In Hand and the HSE in relation to an application for Section 39 funding.
Decisions regarding Section 39 funding are a matter for the HSE and my Department does not have a role to play in this regard.
529. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of persons currently on a waiting list to see an ear, nose and throat specialist in the CHO area 2, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, with a breakdown of the waiting list for each of the hospitals in the west north west hospital group, Saolta, for 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7316/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NTPF publishes waiting list data by speciality, hospital and hospital group each month. This data can be viewed on its website at NTPF.ie.
530. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the position of a person (details supplied) on a waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7319/17]
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.
531. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the guidelines and timeframes set out by his Department, under the access and inclusion model, AIM, programme for cases in which a child has been diagnosed with autism, for first consultation with the designated professional to ensure that early intervention is delivered by occupational, speech and language and behaviour management therapists; if there is a patient charter for disability under the new AIM model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7393/17]
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.
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
532. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels in the occupational therapist department working in early intervention teams for each of the years 2013 to 2016, by county, in tabular form. [7394/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra534. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels in behavioural management early intervention teams for each of the years 2013 to 2016, by county, in tabular form. [7396/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra536. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent staff and temporary staff working in occupational therapy early intervention teams for each of the years 2013 to 2016, by county, in tabular form. [7398/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra537. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent staff and temporary staff working in behavioural management early intervention teams for each of the years 2013 to 2016, by county, in tabular form. [7399/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra539. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of days lost to certified and uncertified illness, maternity, unpaid leave and force majeure on the occupational therapy early intervention teams for each of the years 2013 to 2016, by county, in tabular form. [7401/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra540. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of days lost to certified and uncertified illness, maternity, unpaid leave and force majeure on the behavioural management early intervention teams for each of the years 2013 to 2016, by county, in tabular form. [7402/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 532, 534, 536, 537, 539 and 540 together.
The 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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
533. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the staffing levels in speech and language early intervention teams for each of the years 2013 to 2016, by county, in tabular form. [7395/17]
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.
535. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of permanent staff and temporary staff working in speech and language early intervention teams for each of the years 2013 to 2016, by county, in tabular form. [7397/17]
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.
538. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of days lost to certified and uncertified illness, maternity, unpaid leave and force majeure on the speech and language early intervention teams for each of the years 2013 to 2016, by county, in tabular form. [7400/17]
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.
541. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of scoliosis surgeries for public patients carried out in 2016; and the hospitals in which they were performed, in tabular form. [7412/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLong waiting times for scoliosis surgery have to be addressed, and the Department has been working closely with the HSE to address services pressures, particularly in Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, which is the largest provider of scoliosis surgery for children and young people.
Additional funding has been provided in recent years to develop the paediatric orthopaedic services, including scoliosis services. €2m was made available under the Winter Initiative Funding in 2016 and over fifty additional patients have been treated to date under this initiative. As a result of investment, we made some progress but there is much more to do to provide the level service that is needed.
I recently met with the CEO of the Children’s Hospital Group and of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin (OLCHC) to discuss immediate action that can be taken to reduce waiting times for children and adolescents with scoliosis.
While the new theatre in OLCHC was commissioned in 2016, it is only now being used for scoliosis surgery due to challenges with recruiting nurses. The hospital has undertaken an aggressive recruitment drive to attract new theatre nurses with the necessary paediatric training. As a result four new nurses will be in place by April. A further 16 international nurses have been offered posts, and have commenced the registration process. The recruitment of these nurses means that the new theatre will be used to provide the additional capacity for scoliosis procedures in OLCHC from April. This will allow an additional day of procedures to be carried out in the medium term. I am advised by OLCHC that an orthopaedic surgeon post in the hospital will also be filled by June. This means that from July, the hospital expects that the theatre use will be further increased. In addition I will receive an Action Plan for Scoliosis from the HSE by the end of February which will take on board the concerns of the advocacy groups.
In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy regarding scoliosis surgery for public patients, as this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
