Written Answers Nos. 322-341
322. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding for mental health services and facilities that has been returned unspent from each community healthcare organisation in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41394/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
323. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of primary care centres that provide mental health services; the number of centres in each community healthcare organisation, CHO; the number of staff providing services at each centre, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41396/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
324. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of mental health nurses graduating in 2016 and 2017 respectively; the number of these graduates offered permanent contracts, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41397/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that all 2016 and 2017 nursing and midwifery graduates will be offered permanent contracts by the HSE. These offers will be subject to the usual recruitment requirements. Nursing and midwifery recruitment and retention is a priority for the Government and officials in my Department are liaising with the HSE on a weekly basis to review progress on the appointment of nursing graduates.
These contracts are being offered as part of the 2017 Nursing and Midwifery Agreement, reached with the INMO and SIPTU. This Agreement has a particular focus on addressing recruitment and retention of nursing and midwifery posts. It has committed to put in place an additional 1,224 nursing and midwifery posts across the public health service by the end of December 2017. Very extensive and detailed work has been sustained throughout 2017 to implement the Agreement.
The HSE is focused on offering graduating nurses and midwives permanent posts. Each Hospital or Community Healthcare Organisation is making offers to the 2016 and 2017 nursing and midwifery graduates who undertake their clinical placement in their location. Every effort is being made to accommodate the graduate nurses and midwives in their preferred locations. Where a Hospital or CHO area is unable to offer places to all graduates, then the remaining graduates are offered places in the respective Hospital Group or an alternative CHO location, as appropriate.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly with the specific data sought in the question.
325. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to prioritise employment opportunities for recent mental health nursing graduates here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41398/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that all 2017 nursing and midwifery graduates will be offered permanent contracts by the HSE. These offers will be subject to the usual recruitment requirements. Nursing and midwifery recruitment and retention is a priority for the Government and officials in my Department are liaising with the HSE on a weekly basis to review progress on the appointment of nursing graduates.
These contracts are being offered as part of the 2017 Nursing and Midwifery Agreement, reached with the INMO and SIPTU. This Agreement has a particular focus on addressing recruitment and retention of nursing and midwifery posts. It has committed to put in place an additional 1,224 nursing and midwifery posts across the public health service by the end of December 2017. Very extensive and detailed work has been sustained throughout 2017 to implement the Agreement.
Each Hospital or Community Healthcare Organisation is making offers to the 2017 nursing and midwifery graduates who undertake their clinical placement in their location. Every effort is being made to accommodate the graduate nurses and midwives in their preferred locations. Where a Hospital or CHO area is unable to offer places to all graduates, then the remaining graduates are offered places in the respective Hospital Group or an alternative CHO location, as appropriate.
326. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the percentage CAMHS received in funding from the mental health budget for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41399/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
327. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children qualified for children’s physiotherapy services in County Wexford; the number of children on a waiting list to receive the services; the estimated waiting time for each child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41400/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra328. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for their first assessment for possible qualification for treatment with the children’s physiotherapy services in County Wexford that are designated into different priority levels or categories; the number of children in each category; the criteria defining each category; the respective average waiting list in each category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41401/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra330. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of persons treated on average by each physiotherapist working for children’s physiotherapy services in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41403/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 327, 328 and 330 together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive, HSE, for direct reply.
329. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of physiotherapists employed by the HSE and or children’s physiotherapy services in County Wexford; if there are vacancies for physiotherapists treating children in County Wexford; if so, the number of such vacancies; the length of time that each vacancy has existed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41402/17]
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.
331. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the restoration of a clinic (details supplied) at a hospital; the business case being prepared to develop a service at this hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41410/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
332. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if persons with haemochromatosis (details supplied) who have to attend hospital on a regular basis will continue to have their attendance at hospitals regarded as outpatients rather than having day charge status applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41412/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all people ordinarily resident in the country are entitled, subject to certain charges, to public inpatient hospital services including consultant services and to public out-patient hospital services. Under the Health (In-Patients Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2008, a person who has been referred to a hospital for an in-patient service, including that provided on a day case basis, will have to pay the statutory daily charge, currently €80 per day, up to a maximum of €800 per year. On this basis, where venesection is classed as a day-case procedure and is not carried out in an outpatient setting, the public inpatient charge applies.
The Deputy may be aware of the ongoing review of the GMS and other publicly funded contracts involving GPs, and that the next phase of discussions to progress this work is underway. I expect that the issue of venesection services for patients with haemochromatosis will be considered in the context of the overall GP contract review process.
It should be noted that the Irish Blood Transfusion, IBTS, has been running a haemochromatosis clinic in the Stillorgan Blood Donation Clinic since 2007 and sees approximately 600 patients annually who are eligible to donate blood. In 2013 and 2014, the IBTS also commenced provision of a programme for hereditary haemochromatosis patients in their D'Olier Street and St. Finbar's Hospital (County Cork) clinics, respectively. These clinics provide venesection at no cost to patients with a prescription from their treating clinician. The venesection is performed, regardless of whether patients wanted to have their unit converted to a blood donation.
In response to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
333. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if funding for a further podiatrist in County Meath will be made available in budget 2018; and the reason for the sudden increase in the number of persons with diabetes hospitalised for foot ulceration treatment in County Meath. [41415/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
334. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate the mobility allowance payable to persons who have a disability; the reason for the delay in making a decision in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41418/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraConscious of the reports of the Ombudsman in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant Scheme in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes in February 2013.
The Government is aware of the continuing needs of people with a disability who rely on individual payments that support choice and independence. In this regard, monthly payments of up to €208.50 have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health and the Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
The next step is to seek Government approval to the drafting of a Bill for the new Scheme.
335. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide funding for a treatment centre (details supplied). [41426/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
336. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists in CHO area 7 and in the Dublin south west LHO; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Tallaght can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41429/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra342. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists in CHO area 8 and in the LHO area Longford and Westmeath; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Mullingar can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41436/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra348. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists in CHO area 4 and LHO area Cork south Lee; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Mahon can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41443/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra354. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists in CHO area 3 and LHO area Tipperary north east Limerick; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Thurles can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41450/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 342, 348 and 354 together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive, HSE, for direct reply.
337. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent social workers in CHO area 7 and Dublin south west LHO; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Tallaght can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41430/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra343. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent social workers in CHO area 8 and in the LHO area Longford and Westmeath; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Mullingar can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41437/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra349. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent social workers in CHO area 4 and LHO area Cork south Lee; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Mahon can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41444/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra355. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent social workers in CHO area 3 and LHO area Tipperary north east Limerick; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Thurles can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41451/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 337, 343, 349 and 355 together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive, HSE, for direct reply.
338. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent public health nurses in CHO area 7 and Dublin south west LHO; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Tallaght can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41431/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra344. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent public health nurses in CHO area 8 and in the LHO area Longford and Westmeath; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Mullingar can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41438/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra350. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent public health nurses in CHO area 4 and LHO area Cork south Lee; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Mahon can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41445/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra356. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of in-post and vacant whole-time equivalent public health nurses in CHO area 3 and LHO area Tipperary north east Limerick; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Thurles can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41452/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 338, 344, 350 and 356 together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive, HSE, for direct reply.
339. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners, both in-post and vacant, in CHO area 7 that have signed up to the free general practitioner service for the under sixes scheme; the number in Dublin south west LHO; the number of these that persons in the catchment area of Tallaght can access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41432/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
340. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years of age for a speech and language assessment in CHO area 7 and Dublin south west LHO; the number of these within the catchment area of Tallaght; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41434/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra341. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years of age for speech and language therapy treatment in CHO area 7 and Dublin south west LHO; the number of these within the catchment area of Tallaght; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41435/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra346. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years of age for a speech and language assessment in CHO area 8; the number in the Longford and Westmeath LHO; the number of these within the catchment area of Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41441/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra347. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years of age for speech and language therapy treatment in CHO area 8; the number in the Longford and Westmeath LHO; the number of these within the catchment area of Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41442/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years of age for a speech and language assessment in CHO area 4 and Cork south Lee LHO; the number of these within the catchment area of Mahon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41448/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra353. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years of age for speech and therapy treatment in CHO area 4 and Cork south Lee LHO; the number of these within the catchment area of Mahon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41449/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra358. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years of age for speech and language assessment in CHO area 3 and Tipperary north east Limerick LHO; the number of these within the catchment area of Thurles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41455/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra359. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for children aged zero to 18 years of age for speech and language therapy treatment in CHO area 3 and Tipperary north east Limerick LHO; the number of these within the catchment area of Thurles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41456/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 340, 341, 346, 347, 352, 353, 358 and 359 together.
As these questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive, HSE, for direct reply.
