Written Answers Nos. 1-75
55. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to end the staffing crisis in the health service in the context of public sector pay talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26269/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraArising from recent talks between the Government and public sector staff representative bodies, the draft Public Service Stability Agreement was finalised on 8th June 2017. It applies across the public service as a whole. It contains a specific commitment with regard to recruitment and retention in certain parts of the public sector. Under this commitment, the Agreement sets out a process for a more comprehensive examination of underlying difficulties in recruitment and retention in certain sectors and employment streams where difficulties are clearly evident. This would include the health sector. There will be opportunities for submissions to be made to the Public Service Pay Commission and the exercise is due to be completed by the end of 2018. Any proposals will be subject to discussion between the parties. Also, the agreement provides for a series of salary increases over the coming years and a number of health-related allowances will be restored, provided the relevant staff representative bodies accept the Agreement. These measures should assist in recruitment and retention of staff in the public sector generally.
In the broader context, there has been a significant improvement in the staffing of the public health services in the past three years as the economic position has improved and additional funding has been made available to support service delivery. Total numbers employed have increased from end April 2014 to end April 2017 by over 10,000 whole time equivalents to 111,979.
The number of consultants has increased significantly. At the end of April 2017 there were 2,884 whole time equivalents. This constitutes an increase of 298 whole time equivalents since April 2014. The number of NCHDs has increased very significantly, from 4,982 at the end of April 2014 to 6,092 at the end of April 2017, an increase of 1,109. These additional posts are supporting increased service delivery and improved compliance with the European Working Time Directive.
Nursing and midwifery numbers at the end of April 2017 stood at 36,549 whole time equivalents, having increased by 625 whole time equivalents in the 12 months from end April 2016 and by 1,870 in the three years from end April 2014 to end April 2017. Overall nursing numbers are at the highest level since 2011 with numbers increasing consistently since early in 2014. It is acknowledged, however, that vacancies remain in the system and there was a significant fall in numbers between 2007 and 2014 due to the economic downturn.
I can also advise that, under proposals formulated at the Workplace Relations Commission between my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the INMO and SIPTU in February and March this year, it was agreed that management would increase the nursing and midwifery workforce in 2017, through a broad range of initiatives that provide for 1,208 additional permanent posts.
56. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the action his Department is taking to counter anti-vaccination campaigns. [29070/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Deputies are aware, immunisation is regarded as one of the safest and most cost-effective of health care interventions. It is a recognised simple and safe way of protecting people against harmful diseases such as meningitis, measles, mumps and rubella and influenza. The importance of vaccination is acknowledged by all the major international health organisations, particularly the World Health Organisation. While no medicine is entirely without risk, the safety of vaccines, as with all medicines, is carefully monitored. The Health Products Regulatory Authority assesses the safety of medicines in Ireland and as Minister I can assure you and the public that the scientific evidence is clear that the benefits of vaccines outweigh the known side effects.
I am very disappointed that the uptake of certain vaccines, which have been the subject of recent campaigns, has dropped. Most notably HPV vaccine uptake rates have fallen from 87% in 2014/15 to 72% in 2015/16. This is a very serious development as a large number of girls are now at risk of developing cervical cancer later in their lives. My Department and the HSE are working to counter the misinformation concerning vaccines that are undermining our national vaccination programmes. We must ensure that the public and healthcare providers have full information regarding the safety and effectiveness of vaccination programmes. The HSE is implementing a strategy aimed at increasing vaccine uptake. An example of this was seen at the recent National HPV Vaccine Conference where the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine and the work to increase uptake by girls as part of the Schools Immunisation programme was outlined. I attended this Conference to not only demonstrate my support but also to clearly outline the priority my Department is placing on vaccine uptake in Ireland.
I regularly speak publically and use social media to highlight this issue. You will also be interested to note that the forthcoming National Healthcare Quality Reporting System has a key focus on childhood vaccines. Information on uptake rates and safety is provided for the MMR, meningococcal C, seasonal influenza and the HPV vaccines. This Annual Report will be published by my Department later this month.
57. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the range of facilities and services for the new primary healthcare centre in Summerhill, Dublin 1; and when he envisages completion of construction. [27844/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary care centres enable the provision of a broader and more integrated set of primary care services. In the first instance they bring together HSE staff who in many cases have previously been operating from older, more dispersed locations. They are intended to facilitate more integrated working by primary and social care staff in the HSE and general practitioners as members of primary care teams and networks, particularly in relation to the care of people with more complex needs. These centres provide scope, over time, for more comprehensive services to be provided in the community, such as structured care of people with chronic illness, an enhanced range of diagnostic services and potentially a range of specialist services on an outreach basis.
To date, 100 Primary Care Centres are already operational which has significantly enhanced the accessibility of health services in local communities. An additional 27 Primary Care Centres are expected to be operational in 2017 and 2018. There are a further 10 locations where primary care infrastructure is under construction or at advanced planning and 51 locations which are at preliminary stages of development.
With regard to the new Summerhill Primary Care Centre, construction is due to be completed in Quarter 2 of 2018 and services are expected to commence in Quarter 3 the same year. The Centre will be the base for the Summerhill Primary Care Team and the Inns Quay Primary Care Team. In addition, it will be the base for all Network Primary Care services covering the North Inner City.
The following services will be located in the new Summerhill Facility:-
- General Practice Services
- Public Health Nursing/Community Nursing Services
- Occupational Therapy Services, Physiotherapy Services, Speech & Language Services
- Psychology Services
- Dietetic Services
- Social Work Services
- Home Help Services
- Mental Health Day Hospital Services
- Early Intervention and School Age Services for children with disabilities
- Meeting and administration accommodation
- Ambulance Services (located on the site in a separate building).
58. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the provision of a medical card until recovery to persons on the diagnosis of cancer in view of the fact that the costs associated with a diagnosis are extensive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27847/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key recommendation of the 2014 Report of the Expert Panel on Medical Need for Medical Card Eligibilitywas that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card. The report also concluded that it is neither feasible nor desirable to list conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. Therefore, medical card provision is solely based on financial assessment. Under the legislation, having a particular illness, in itself, does not establish eligibility for a medical card.
However, in the assessment of applications the HSE seeks, within the framework of the legislation, to exercise discretion. In that regard the HSE assesses the financial, social and medical circumstances of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. This assessment informs the decisions taken by the HSE on whether to award a medical card on a discretionary basis.
Also, on foot of the Expert Panel's Report, the HSE established a Clinical Advisory Group to develop clinical oversight and guidance for the operation of the medical card system. This Group has been working on the development of an assessment form which will seek to capture the additional financial costs associated with an illness, including cancer, and which will assist the HSE in exercising its discretion. The Group also made a recommendation in 2015, which was accepted by the Director General of the HSE, to award a medical card to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer. The card will be held for 5 years to cover the average period of the acute illness, treatment and recovery.
59. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the reason behind the 14% reduction in home help hours in counties Sligo and Leitrim for January to April 2017 relative to the same period in 2016. [29079/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraHome supports are a key mechanism for enabling older people to remain in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and for facilitating their discharge from acute hospitals.
The HSE’s National Service Plan for 2016 originally provided for a target of 10.4 million Home Help Hours and for 15,450 Home Care Packages. However, the numbers of patients who had completed their acute treatment but required home-care in order to be discharged was very high in the early part of the year. Without additional funding this could not have been sustained and the allocations for the rest of the year would have had to be reduced.
Government responded to this challenge by providing an extra €40m for home care in 2016. Further resources were provided through the Winter Initiative, in particular extra home care packages and an increase in approvals for transitional care beds.
This year’s National Service Plan provides for a target of 10.57 million Home Help Hours, 16,750 Home Care Packages and 190 Intensive Home Care Packages for clients with complex needs. While the January to April data for home help hours is less than the corresponding period in 2016, of more significance is that the HSE target for this year is to provide about 443,545 home help hours in Sligo/Leitrim. This is an increase of 10,478 hours on the number delivered in 2016. In relation to Home Care Packages, 304 people were in receipt of a Home Care Package in the Sligo/Leitrim region in April 2017, an increase of 4% on the expected target of 293 people.
60. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide free access to fertility treatments including IVF in the public health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February 2016, the Health Research Board (HRB) was engaged to conduct a comprehensive review of international public funding models for assisted human reproduction (AHR). The HRB evidence review is now complete and was published simultaneously on the Department of Health’s and the HRB's websites on Wednesday 15 March 2017.
This evidence review from the HRB examines the public funding mechanisms for AHR in different countries. The review looks at the associated costs and benefits for the funder, provider and patient, the criteria for accessing the public funded service and the basis for these criteria in different jurisdictions.
The review does not indicate a recommendation or preference for a specific funding model; rather it outlines the pros and cons of such funding models, the different aspects of models in different jurisdictions, as well as the different rationales underpinning such funding models.
The HRB evidence review will be analysed by officials in my Department in the context of considering policy options for a potential public funding model for AHR treatment. It should be noted that, any funding model that might ultimately be introduced would need to operate within the broader regulatory framework relating to AHR.
While IVF treatment is not currently provided by the Irish public health service, there is some support available in that patients who access IVF treatment privately may claim tax relief on the costs involved under the tax relief for medical expenses scheme. In addition, a defined list of fertility medicines needed for fertility treatment is covered under the High Tech Scheme administered by the HSE. Medicines covered by the High Tech Scheme must be prescribed by a consultant/specialist and approved by the HSE ‘High Tech Liaison Officers’. The cost of the medicines is then covered, as appropriate, under the Medical Card or Drugs Payment Scheme.
61. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund services such as a service (details supplied) on an annual basis. [27843/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGood2Talk Counselling & Psychotherapy Support Services Ltd. is a counselling service based in Mullingar that covers county Westmeath. They are a community-based service that offers affordable and accessible counselling. They work with clients from 16 years and up who present with a range of mental health issues. These include groups such as the socially/financially disadvantaged, ethnic minorities, the LGBT community and Travellers.
Good2Talk was awarded funding through the HSE Resource Office for Suicide Prevention of €25,000 in 2014 and €39,600 in 2015.
This funding was accessed by the Resource Office for Suicide Prevention (Midlands) under the ‘Community Resilience Funding’ stream financed by the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP). This funding stream ended in 2015 with the publication of the National Strategy ‘Connecting for Life’ in 2015. The ending of the Community Resilience Funding stream after 2015 was communicated to all of the recipients of the funding, including Good2Talk. All future needs for funding will be assessed under the provisions and implementation of the new County Suicide Prevention Plans which aim to ‘develop and implement consistent multi-agency suicide prevention actions plans to enhance communities’ capacity to respond to suicidal behaviours’.
In 2016 Good2Talk was awarded €18,000 under the National Lottery Grant Scheme. Good2Talk has made an application under the National Lottery Grant Scheme for 2017. Good2Talk has also been informed about the development of the Connecting for Life Implementation Plan for Longford/Westmeath and they be invited to participate in the Plan’s consultation process which will take place in October 2017.
62. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the further length of time it will take to appoint a paediatric diabetes consultant at University College Hospital Galway; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27731/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGalway University Hospital serves as a regional centre for the delivery of diabetes, endocrine and related services in the West of Ireland. This clinical care is delivered in close collaboration with related education and research programmes in the National University of Ireland, Galway.
During 2015 a consultant vacancy arose in the paediatric diabetes service at Galway University Hospital. The Saolta Healthcare Group prioritised the filling of this consultant paediatric diabetes specialist post and a candidate was selected in late 2015. However delays arose, and in February 2017 the Hospital was advised that the candidate was no longer in a position to take up the post.
In light of the importance of this post, it has been re-advertised by the Public Appointments Service as a priority, and applications have now been received. The HSE is actively engaging with the Public Appointments Service in order to fill this critical post as soon as possible.
In the interim, the Saolta Healthcare Group has been making every effort to provide appropriate diabetes care services to paediatric patients. Children under the age of 12 years are currently referred to University Hospital Limerick for diabetes treatment, while patients aged 12 years and over are commenced on insulin pump therapy under the guidance of a consultant endocrinologist at GUH.
The Saolta Healthcare Group has advised that it is committed to urgently recruiting a permanent paediatric diabetes consultant to Galway University Hospital in order that the Hospital can provide comprehensive paediatric diabetes services, so that children do not have to travel to hospitals outside the Hospital Group.
63. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if additional resources will be allocated to the existing cardiac catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford in order to increase the laboratory's current capacity to accommodate the estimated 450 additional procedures that will be referred there through additional diagnostic angiograms set to be provided by the mobile catheterisation lab; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27908/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra105. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the reason for the non approval to date in 2017 of a mobile cath lab for University Hospital Waterford; the timeframe for approval to be made regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27652/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 105 together.
In his review of cardiology services at University Hospital Waterford, Dr Niall Herity concluded that the needs of the effective catchment population of the hospital could be accommodated from a single cath lab. However, Dr Herity recommended additional investment to increase capacity at the hospital. In that regard, an additional €0.5m funding was provided to University Hospital Waterford in 2017 to enable the hospital to provide two additional cath lab sessions per week. This entails an additional eight hours provision per week or a 20% expansion in operating hours. The cath lab will now be funded to provide 12 sessions i.e. 48 hours activity per week. It is expected that this capacity will facilitate the provision of an increased volume of scheduled cardiology care at the hospital.
On 23 January last, I asked the HSE to develop a Cardiology Waiting List Initiative, noting that such an initiative could include the deployment of a mobile cath lab for specific periods in specific locations. On 18 May, I requested that the HSE maximise the benefit for patients from the €0.5m funding allocated for University Hospital Waterford, in respect of both additional sessions at the existing cath lab and the temporary use of a mobile cath lab for a specific period. The Deputy may wish to note that on 12 June last, the HSE was approved by my Department to issue a tender, within one week, for the provision of a temporary mobile cath lab at the hospital. The lab will be procured in line with the normal HSE procurement process. The mobile cath lab will be funded from time related savings relating to the additional funding provided to the hospital on foot of the Herity report.
I should also mention that following a targeted initiative, there has been a significant improvement in waiting times for cardiology procedures at the hospital. The most recent data from the NTPF, which is for May 2017, indicates that a total of 296 patients are waiting for a cardiology in-patient/day case procedure, with 189 of those waiting less than 3 months. The HSE has advised that no patient will be waiting longer than 6 months for a cardiology procedure at University Hospital Waterford by the end of August.
64. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the current engagement of his Department with the upcoming round of public pay negotiations; if he will report on the work his officials are undertaking with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with regard to examining the disparities in pay for section 38 and section 39 HSE funded organisations in view of the fact that employees undertake the same work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26060/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that officials from my Department and the HSE participated in the recent pay talks to discuss a successor agreement to the Lansdowne Road Agreement which were held at the Workplace Relations Commission. A draft Public Service Agreement was reached on 8 June 2017 and is currently being considered by the unions in the context of the public servants they represent.
Any disparities that exist between section 38 and section 39 organisations are due to the fact that they are very different entities. Organisations that are funded under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 provide a defined level of health and personal social services on behalf of the HSE. These section 38 agencies include both acute and non-acute organisations. The employees of bodies that are funded under Section 38 are classified as public servants. They are subject to the standard salary scales for the health sector and have access, in the main, to public service pension schemes. These employees are also included in public service employment numbers.
On the other hand, Section 39 agencies are agencies where the HSE provides a grant to allow the agency to provide services similar or ancillary to the HSE. The governance context in which the HSE engages with section 39 agencies is distinctly different from that which applies in the case of section 38 agencies. For example, the employees of section 39 agencies are not public servants, are not members of public sector pension schemes and, unlike their section 38 counterparts, are not directly bound by the Department of Health consolidated pay scales.
As the HSE and the Department of Health have no role in the pay rates or terms and conditions of the staff employed by these section 39 agencies, it is a matter for Section 39 organisations to negotiate salaries with their staff as part of their employment relationship and within the overall funding available for the delivery of agreed services.
65. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if the outstanding issues which are delaying the signing off of the new national drug strategy are being addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27845/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra69. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if the new national drugs strategy will be a national substance misuse strategy including drugs and alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27736/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra138. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health when the new national drugs strategy will be published; if it will be debated in Dáil Éireann before being adapted as Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27735/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 69 and 138 together.
The Government is committed to putting a new drugs strategy in place this year.
The Strategy will be based on a health-led approach to the drug problem and build on progress achieved under previous drug strategies. A Steering Committee has been established to advise me on a new strategy with a view to developing an integrated public health approach to substance misuse, which is defined as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illegal drugs.
The Steering Committee last met on 25 May to discuss some outstanding issues. I understand that the final report will be submitted to me shortly. I hope to be in a position to bring my proposals to Government on the new Strategy thereafter.
66. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances that are owned by the HSE ambulance service that are stationed in counties Laois, Kildare and Offaly; and the specific areas they are based in. [27644/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table details the number of National Ambulance Service (NAS) ambulances stationed in counties Laois, Kildare and Offaly:
|
Offaly |
Kildare |
Laois |
|||
|
Birr |
2 |
Naas |
5 |
Portlaoise |
4 |
|
Edenderry |
2 |
Athy |
3 |
||
|
Tullamore |
5 |
Maynooth |
2 |
||
|
Total |
9 |
10 |
4 |
There is also a Rapid Response Vehicle and an Intermediate Care Vehicle stationed in Tullamore. The Deputy may wish to note that all NAS resources are dispatched to calls across the country from the NAS National Emergency Operations Centre on a nearest available to the incident basis, and not on a county boundary basis. Therefore vehicles stationed outside the area may be dispatched to Laois, Kildare and Offaly as required.
Also, at local level, the NAS is supported by 22 Community First Responder schemes in Kildare, Laois and Offaly who respond to particular types of medical emergencies where is it necessary for the patient to receive immediate care whilst an emergency response vehicle is en route.
67. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will legislate to make himself legally accountable for the delivery of health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27859/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 28.4.2 of the Constitution provides that the Government shall be collectively responsible for Departments of State “administered” by the Members of the Government. Under Article 28.12 of the Constitution Ministers are “in charge of” Departments of State. The principal legislative provisions governing my powers are the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924 to 2013 and the Public Service Management Act 1997. The structures of the Department of Health and distribution of its business are also regulated by these Acts.
The Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924, as amended, provides that I shall be the responsible head of the Department of Health and that I “…shall be individually responsible to Dáil Éireann alone for the administration of the Department …”. This gives statutory effect to the constitutional principle of ministerial responsibility. I bear political responsibility under the Act of 1924 for all actions within the Department. In addition, under the Carltona Doctrine powers vested in me may be exercised, without any express act of delegation, by officials of certain seniority and responsibility.
The roles and responsibilities of the Minister for Health, Ministers of State and senior officials in my Department are set out in the Governance Framework for the Department of Health, which is available at www.health.gov.ie. In addition, the Framework sets out the relationship which I have with the State Bodies under my aegis. My Department’s Governance Framework and the current legislation underpinning the delivery and regulation of health and social services is in keeping with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Corporate Governance Standard for the Civil Service (2015). I am satisfied that I carry out my role in keeping with best governance practice without the need for further legislation in this regard.
Legal responsibility for the delivery and regulation of health and social services is vested in a number of statutory bodies under my aegis. The relationship between the Department and bodies under its aegis is determined primarily by the underpinning legislation establishing the body and the requirements set out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016). Legal responsibility for delivery on the mandate and functions of a body under the aegis of the Department rests in the first instance with its Board, and the Chairman of the Board, or in the case of the HSE, with its Director General.
68. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the status of progress on the rollout of improvements to perinatal mental health services capacity; and if he has satisfied himself that these improvements are being rolled out with the necessary urgency in view of the fact death by suicide is the leading cause of direct and late maternal death here [27659/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPerinatal Mental Health is recognised as a priority by the Health Service Executive Mental Health Division. In 2016, work commenced on scoping the need for Perinatal Mental Health Services nationally. In 2017 this prioritisation has continued, with the HSE's National Service Plan 2017 setting out as one of its priority aims the design and development of perinatal mental health services capacity.
A Multidisciplinary Working Group with Service User input was established in late 2016 and its report is due by end of June 2017.
This report will cover the specialist component of what should be an overall HSE cross-divisional approach to perinatal mental health services. The focus of the perinatal specialist component includes maternity liaison teams, specialist perinatal mental health teams, mother and baby units and the interface with secondary care mental health services (general adult psychiatry community mental health teams).
The Mental Health Division committed in the National Service Plan 2017 to starting specialist perinatal mental health services in Cork and Limerick. There has been some funding allocated from the additional government funding granted in 2016 for this purpose.
I am referring the remainder of this question to the HSE for direct reply as it is a service issue.
70. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Health the reason behind the 11% reduction in home help hours in County Wicklow for January to April 2017 relative to the same period in 2016. [29087/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
71. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the issue whereby section 39 organisations have not received extra funding to pay their employees the extra €1,000 from 1 April 2017 as provided to regular public sector workers; his plans to rectify the issue; the timeframes involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26407/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 39 of the Health Act 2004, provides that the HSE may ‘..give assistance to any person or body that provides or proposes to provide a service similar or ancillary to a service that the Executive may provide.’. Such assistance may range from contributing to the expenses incurred by that person or body to allowing them the use of an HSE premises. Financial assistance is provided in the form of a grant and the value of such grants can vary from very high to very low value.
Where the HSE provides a grant to a voluntary provider under Section 39, the HSE puts in place a Service Level Agreement with the provider. This sets out the level of service to be provided for the grant which they receive. It is important to note that any individuals employed by these section 39 organisations are not HSE employees. The HSE has no role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff. It is an accepted fact that the staff of these Section 39 organisations are not public servants. This means that they were not subject to the FEMPI legislation which imposed pay reductions or the provisions of the subsequent Public Service Agreements which provide for pay restoration.
An increase in annualised salaries of those earning up to €65,000, by €1,000 was provided for in the Lansdowne Road Agreement. Originally, it was due to be paid from 1 September 2017. However, in order to address the anomalies which arose following the Labour Court Recommendation for certain Garda Associations, the Government agreed to bring this date forward to 1 April 2017 for those civil and public servants who did not stand to benefit from this Labour Court Recommendation. These were civil and public servants who had cuts imposed on them by the FEMPI legislation.
As outlined above, staff in Section 39 organisations are not automatically eligible for this salary increase. It is a matter for Section 39 organisations to negotiate salaries with their staff as part of their employment relationship and within the overall funding available for the delivery of agreed services.
72. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of graduates from the paediatric and general nursing course in University College Cork run in conjunction Cork University Hospital that are currently working in the public health service. [27661/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
73. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the response by his Department and the SEHB when concerns were raised with them in the 1990s regarding a person (details supplied). [27658/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
74. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the delays that exist in County Meath in accessing a psychiatric consultant appointment; and if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that persons are waiting in excess of six weeks to see a psychiatric consultant. [27650/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
75. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health his plans to legislate for the maximum waiting times of ten weeks for an outpatient appointment, 12 weeks for an inpatient appointment and ten days for diagnostic tests as recommended in the future of healthcare report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27858/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge that waiting times are often unacceptably long and I am conscious of the burden that this places on patients and their families.
Reducing waiting times for the longest waiting patients is one of this Government's key priorities. Consequently, Budget 2017 allocated €20 million to the NTPF, rising to €55 million in 2018.
In order to reduce the numbers of long-waiting patients, I asked the HSE to develop Waiting List Action Plans for 2017 in the areas of Inpatient/Daycase, Scoliosis and Outpatient Services. These plans have been published and their implementation is ongoing. The Inpatient/Daycase and Outpatient Plans focus on reducing the number of patients waiting 15 months or more for inpatient and daycase treatment or for an outpatient appointment by the end of October. The Scoliosis Action Plan aims to ensure that no patient who requires scoliosis surgery will be waiting more than four months for surgery by the end of 2017. Under these Plans, since early February, over 14,200 patients have come off the Inpatient/Daycase Waiting List and nearly 49,000 patients have come off the Outpatient Waiting List.
In addition, the NTPF is currently rolling out its Daycase Waiting List Initiative focused on those waiting longest for daycase treatment, with a view to ensuring that in excess of 2,000 patients waiting more than 18 months for a daycase procedure will have received an offer of an appointment for their procedure by the end of June.
The NTPF has advised that to date over 2,500 patients files have been transferred to private hospitals under this Initiative, 631 patients have accepted an offer of treatment in a private hospital and that over 178 patients have received their procedure.
The Committee on the Future of Healthcare has now concluded its work and I look forward to the forthcoming Dáil debate on the report. I will give full consideration to the report’s recommendations when I have had the opportunity to hear views from across the Dáil.
