Billy Kelleher
Ceist:1141. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have completed a satisfactory FIT test to date in 2017. [36628/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCancer Screening Programmes
Ceisteanna (1141)
Freagraí scríofa
53,527 clients completed a satisfactory BowelScreen FIT test to end-May 2017, the latest figures available. This figure is 24% above the target for the year-to-date.
BowelScreen - the National Bowel Screening Programme offers free bowel screening to men and women aged 60-69. The BowelScreen Round One Programme Report, 2012-2015, shows that 521 cancers were detected through bowel screening, 3 out of 4 of which were detected at an early stage of cancer development.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Ceisteanna (1142)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:1142. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the proportion of urgent cases offered a colposcopy appointment within two weeks of receipt of a letter in the clinic. [36629/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
To date in 2017, 100% of urgent cases, referred through CervicalCheck, were offered a colposcopy appointment within two weeks of receipt of a letter in the clinic.
Health Services Data
Ceisteanna (1143)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:1143. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of persons screened with final grading result with regard to the Diabetic RetinaScreen programme and its operation to date in 2017; the percentage uptake rate; and the percentage of persons screened that are issued a result within three weeks. [36630/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Vaccination Programme
Ceisteanna (1144)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:1144. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the uptake to date in 2017 in each CHO for the HPV vaccine. [36631/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Food Safety Authority of Ireland Inspections
Ceisteanna (1145)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:1145. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of official food control and planned surveillance inspections of food businesses to date in 2017 with regard to the HSE Food Safety Authority of Ireland service contract. [36632/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This is a matter for the HSE therefore I have referred the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.
Sunbeds Regulation
Ceisteanna (1146)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:1146. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the sun bed test purchase and mystery shopper inspection programme under the Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014; the test purchase inspections completed to date in 2017; and the mystery shopper inspections completed over the same timeframe. [36633/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This is a matter for the HSE therefore I have referred the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.
Water Fluoridation
Ceisteanna (1147)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:1147. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of drinking water samples taken to date in 2017 to assess fluoride parameter compliance. [36634/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Departmental Reports
Ceisteanna (1148)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1148. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if his Department will contribute to the funding of a second Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland study as has been recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36641/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, a decision to undertake such a study is a matter for my colleague the Minister of Justice and Equality. Should he decide to proceed with a second report I will give consideration to any request for assistance from my Department.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (1149)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1149. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the theatre capacity for Cappagh hospital; his views on the utilisation of this capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36643/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
Substance Misuse
Ceisteanna (1150)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1150. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on the escalating and widespread issue of the use of crack cocaine; the data which is available to him on such usage; and the treatment response to this issue. [36647/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department and the Health Service Executive have a range of mechanisms for sharing information about the drugs situation with An Garda Síochána, including the Early Warning Emerging Trends Sub-Committee (EWET) of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol and the HSE Public Alert System for adverse events due to drugs.
The EWET provides a forum for representatives from my Department, An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and other relevant experts to exchange information on emerging trends and patterns in drug use.
I understand that anecdotal reports of an increase in the use of crack cocaine and apparent paraphernalia being found have been raised by service providers attending the EWET. The authorities remain vigilant for the possibility of an increase in the use of crack cocaine in Ireland.
The most recent Drugs Prevalence Survey for 2014/2015 indicates that there has been no increase in last month or last year use of cocaine, including crack cocaine, since the previous survey for 2010/2011.
HSE Expenditure
Ceisteanna (1151)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1151. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on agency hired emergency department consultants in each acute public hospital in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36653/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
Health Services Reports
Ceisteanna (1152)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1152. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he has provided the promised memo to Cabinet in respect of Sláinte Care; and the position in respect of the establishment of an implementation office to give effect to the proposals in the plan. [36654/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, I supported the establishment of the All-Party Committee on the Future of Healthcare and have consistently supported its work, which I firmly believe can provide a once in a generation opportunity to transform our health services.
I have welcomed the publication of the Committee’s report, which is the culmination of a year-long process of unprecedented cross-party collaboration, dialogue and engagement and is testament of the desire across the political spectrum and across the broader stakeholder community to work collaboratively to address the challenges in the health service. I have also listened to the various views expressed during the recent Dáil debate on the report. During this debate, the level of agreement and support for the broad vision and strategic direction outlined in the report was clearly evident, but so too was the acknowledgement and the understanding of the complexity and challenges involved in implementation.
I have briefed Government colleagues on the report. It is my intention now to move forward as a matter of urgency with putting in place the necessary structures and processes, including personnel, to undertake the development of a detailed response and plan, which will be submitted for the approval of Government later in the year. I expect that Government will give further consideration to these matters very shortly.
HIQA Inspections
Ceisteanna (1153)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:1153. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the details and status of all inspection reports carried out by HIQA in respect of the implementation of each report's recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36655/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
HIQA's role in standard setting and producing inspection reports across public, private (within its social care function) and voluntary sectors is a significant driver for change in relation to patient safety and quality. HIQA publishes inspection reports across a range of services including residential services for people with a disability, designated nursing homes for older persons, and focused inspections for acute hospitals (hygiene, nutrition and hydration, medication safety). Where issues of non-compliance with standards are identified, HIQA’s inspection reports include a series of follow-on actions for that service provider.
As the information the Deputy is seeking is a service matter the question has therefore been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.