John McGuinness
Ceist:798. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when surgery will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [19237/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (798)
Freagraí scríofa
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 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.
Motor Tax
Ceisteanna (799)
Clare Daly
Ceist:799. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the body or organisation which pays the motor tax on vehicles (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19239/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The HSE is the responsible State body in relation to motor tax arrangements for any vehicles under its remit. Recently, the relevant policy unit in the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government requested further clarification in relation to whether HSE vehicles can continue to avail of the "state owned" exemption from motor tax. My Department has been liaising with the HSE on this matter and it is anticipated that the issue will be resolved shortly.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (800)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:800. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [19250/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 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.
Dental Services Provision
Ceisteanna (801)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:801. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the range of dental services for persons with special needs; if his attention has been drawn to concerns from dentists on the lack of dental services and related supports which are available to persons with physical and intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19252/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Oral Health Policy which is being led by the Chief Dental Officer in the Department will inform future provision of dental services. The project, which includes a needs assessment, a review of resources and involves consultation with stakeholders, including dental professionals and the public, is due to be completed later this year.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (802)
Jackie Cahill
Ceist:802. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the steps which were taken to advise parents of children born in 2016 prior to 30 September that the HSE was embarking on the vaccination programme for newborns for meningitis B which commenced in October 2016 in order that they would be in a position to vaccinate their children following this advice; if he will make the vaccination programme available to parents of infant children born prior to October 2016 that wished to avail of it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19255/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Two changes were made to the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule with the introduction of Men B and Rotavirus for all babies born on or after 1 October 2016. The HSE implemented an information campaign aimed at parents of children born on or after that date. The promotional pack given to mothers in maternity hospitals was updated to include an article on the new immunisation schedule. A comprehensive suite of English and Irish information materials for parents including booklet, leaflet, tear pads, immunisation passports, magnets, posters was sent to all CHOs and maternity hospitals. They have been distributed to parents in maternity hospitals and as part of first PHN visit since 1 October 2016. This was two months before the first doses of these vaccines were administered to children on 1 December 2016. Comprehensive information is available on the HSE National Immunisation Office website (www.immunisation.ie). All vaccines administered through the Primary Childhood Immunisation Schedule are provided free of charge. However, there are no plans at this stage to introduce a catch-up programme for older children. Ireland is the second country in Europe to make the vaccine available free of charge as part of its national immunisation programme.
Mental Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (803)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:803. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of whole-time equivalent staff that currently work in Louth-Meath mental health team; and the average per capita number of staff. [19271/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Mental Health Services Expenditure
Ceisteanna (804)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:804. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the per capita spend on mental health by county in each of the past five years. [19272/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (805)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:805. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the locations and capacity of each residential facility for persons with mental health issues, both acute and chronic, in County Louth; and if there is a waiting list to access inpatient treatment. [19273/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Question No. 806 withdrawn.
HSE Properties
Ceisteanna (807)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:807. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the rationale for selecting the operational lease delivery method for Dundalk primary care centre; if he will consider utilising the HSE's current properties for the provision of this centre; if he will consider the HSE purchasing or constructing a premises for use as a primary care centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19275/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (808)
John Curran
Ceist:808. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to issue national general guidelines for all hospitals on car parking fees at hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19278/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is a significant demand for car parking at all hospitals. Consequently, the efficient management of parking spaces and traffic flow on hospital campuses is of crucial importance. This is to ensure on-going availability of parking spaces; free flow of traffic on campus; unobstructed access for emergency vehicles at all times; proper use of spaces designated for drivers with disabled permits; and proper use of spaces designated as drop off points near the hospital entrance.
The HSE (Health Service Executive) has advised that it does not have one single contract to provide parking services at all hospitals. Instead each hospital has a unique arrangement which reflects its specific circumstances.
Arrangements for car parking generally is an operational matter for the HSE. The HSE has advised that it does not provide guidelines on hospital parking and each hospital/hospital group implements their own guidelines.
Hospitals which charge parking fees are very cognisant of the financial implications of parking costs for patients and their families particularly those with long-term illnesses. Consequently, a maximum daily fixed parking charge has been introduced, thus capping this expense. I understand that some hospitals also provide reduced rate parking rates for long-term patients and visitors for whom the payment of the full rate would cause hardship.
The HSE has advised me that it keeps hospital parking charges under review.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (809, 810, 811)
Imelda Munster
Ceist:809. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if the S38 service arrangement documentation is signed by both the HSE and an organisation (details supplied). [19279/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraImelda Munster
Ceist:810. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details supplied) is compliant under schedule 2 with all quality and safety legislation, regulation and policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19280/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraImelda Munster
Ceist:811. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health if there are structures in place under the service arrangement documentation whereby senior HSE and senior management of an organisation (details supplied) meet on a regular basis; if so, if they consider, review or assess services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19281/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 809 to 811, inclusive, 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 questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (812)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:812. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19294/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 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.
Services for People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (813)
Mary Butler
Ceist:813. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently waiting for a full diagnostic assessment for autism in University Hospital Waterford; the composition of the team; if all the positions are covered; the number of psychologists on the autism team that will provide a full diagnostic assessment; the Health Service Executive plan in the absence of a fully trained psychologist to undertake the assessment procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19297/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (814)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:814. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal seeking an appointment from Temple Street Children's University Hospital for a procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19305/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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 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.
Departmental Properties
Ceisteanna (815)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:815. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19307/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This matter which concerns a lease between the HSE and the NMCDA has been the subject of many representations to my Department and to the Committee of Public Accounts.
The matters relating to the lease have been the subject of two separate independent and binding arbitration processes. In each instance the HSE has complied with determinations made by the two independent Arbitrators.
Your correspondence also references consideration of this matter by the Committee of Public Accounts (PAC). In this regard the PAC, in its most recent correspondence on this matter with the HSE on 16 February 2016, has affirmed that “Whilst the Committee wanted to find a resolution to this issue, it has always accepted that this was a matter for the HSE .” The Committee has also acknowledged that it was satisfied that it was dealing with a matter of administration and that no findings of fact that would breach the legal principles set down in McGuire v Ardagh [2002], were made.
My officials have discussed this matter with the HSE. The very clear view of the HSE is that the Executive has adhered entirely with the terms and conditions of the lease, and that, given its obligations under the Health Act 2004 (which requires that the HSE uses its resources efficiently and economically to deliver public health services), the HSE does not consider it appropriate to renegotiate the lease agreement.
Additionally, the Association was advised by my Secretary General that there were not sufficient grounds to intervene in what was essentially an operational matter which is the responsibility of the HSE under legislation. The HSE is complying with its commercial obligations, and is precluded from offering improved terms to the Association simply to improve its financial resources.