Tuesday, 28 Feb 2017

Written Answers Nos. 619-33

Mental Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (619)

James Browne

Ceist:

619. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of beds for general older persons mental health services in each catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10210/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (620)

James Browne

Ceist:

620. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if there is a mental health national secure unit for children and adolescents; if so, the location and number of beds in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10211/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Questions Nos. 621 and 622 answered with Question No. 609.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (623)

James Browne

Ceist:

623. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will address the chronic shortage of acute inpatient mental health beds in the Wexford and Waterford mental health area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10215/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (624)

James Browne

Ceist:

624. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a 25-bed acute mental health admissions unit in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10216/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (625)

James Browne

Ceist:

625. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide a new acute mental health unit for the Waterford and Wexford area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10217/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Medical Card Reviews

Ceisteanna (626)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

626. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a current card can remain active while awaiting the outcome of a review in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10218/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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 Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.

HIV-AIDS Programmes

Ceisteanna (627)

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

627. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health when the implementation group established by the HSE will make its recommendations on the use of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10236/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (628)

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

628. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for an assessment of needs for a person (details supplied) at HSE south Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10253/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (629)

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

629. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for an assessment of needs for a person (details supplied) at HSE, south Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10255/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (630)

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

630. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting since 2012 to be reviewed for a diagnosis of autism; when this review will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10256/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (631)

Martin Kenny

Ceist:

631. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive necessary speech and language therapy, counselling, occupational therapy and pain analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10257/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (632)

Seamus Healy

Ceist:

632. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for an assessment of needs for a person (details supplied) at HSE south Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10258/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (633)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

633. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an appointment with a speech therapist will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10259/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.