Written Answers Nos. 350-369
350. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of physiotherapists newly recruited in 2017; the sectors of the health service under which they have been recruited, that is, primary care and acute disability services; and the net increase in physiotherapists numbers resulting from this recruitment. [2893/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
351. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if a physiotherapist assessment will be carried out for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2894/18]
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.
352. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of nights persons have slept on the floor of or in a chair at hospitals in each of the years 2015 to 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2895/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
353. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to build purpose-built assisted or independent living villages for persons with mental illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2896/18]
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.
354. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if a routine procedure will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2898/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
355. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the timeframe agreed to publish the implementation plan for the national neuro-rehabilitation strategy in view of the fact that the plan was not published by year end 2017 as per his commitment. [2904/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) Social Care Division and the HSE Clinical Programme and Strategy Division are working in tandem to progress the implementation of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-rehabilitation Services in Ireland. This is in line with the commitment to publish an implementation plan as outlined in the Programme for a Partnership Government. In order to facilitate further consultation, the HSE has agreed with the key stakeholders, including the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, that the timeframe for the publication of the implementation plan will be mid 2018.
356. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health the provision that can be made to ensure that the extra two hours' home help awarded to a person (details supplied) can be provided in line with the ongoing needs and requirements of the care giver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2907/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
357. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be offered an appointment at the ophthalmology clinic in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2908/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
358. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be transferred from Monaghan General Hospital to either Drogheda or the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dún Laoghaire, to continue their treatment. [2909/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
359. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 28 September 2017, the status of each of the primary care centres, in tabular form; if building has commenced; the stage it is at; the expected completion date; the number of these primary care centres that are public or public private partnerships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2910/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra398. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 75 of 28 September 2017, if an analysis will be provided of the provisions that have been made in the new primary care centres for the primary care staff that are being recruited and for developments and enhancements in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3215/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 398 together.
As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
360. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of additional beds in each hospital that have now opened or are due to open, further to his recent press statement that additional beds in a number of hospitals, including St James's, the Mater and Beaumont are opening; and if the beds are new capacity or existing beds that have been closed. [2923/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
361. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a decision in respect of a medical card application by a person (details supplied) will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2925/18]
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.
362. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the HSE's expenditure on flu vaccines for each of the past five years, in tabular form. [2927/18]
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.
363. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on subsidising the cost of implanted contraceptives, such as the IUD, which at present can cost up to €300 for insertion, a price which is out of the reach of many women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2931/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraContraceptive devices such as IUDs are reimbursable under the community drug schemes, according to a patient's eligibility. The insertion and removal of long acting reversible contraceptive devices is covered under the General Medical Services Scheme for medical card holders.
A person may also qualify for relief under the Drugs Payment Scheme, in the event that their expenditure on approved prescribed drugs, medicines and certain appliances exceeds €134 in any given month.
General practitioners are private contractors and issues relating to the payment of fees outside the terms of the GMS contract are a matter of private contract between clinicians and their patients.
The recently published report by the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution recommends the introduction of a scheme for the provision of the most effective method of contraception, free of charge and having regard to personal circumstances, to all people who wish to avail of them within the State.
My Department has established a group to address and formulate an effective and comprehensive response to this and other issues raised by the Committee in their ancillary recommendations.
364. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a device can be made available on discretionary terms to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2932/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
365. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide or publish a 2006 report by a person (details supplied) on behalf of the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2939/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra379. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a 2006 HSE-commissioned report by a person (details supplied) regarding the way in which the estates function in Kilmainham was operated and managed; the progress to date regarding implementing the recommendations contained in that report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2993/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 379 together.
The HSE has been requested to reply directly to you in relation to the matter raised.
366. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing impact the closure of the swimming pool at a facility (details supplied) is having on persons with disabilities and in recovery in County Donegal; his plans to invest in and secure the reopening of the pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2941/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
367. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to requests to re-open mortuary services at Carndonagh Community Hospital, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2942/18]
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.
368. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health his plans to invest in minor injuries units in community hospitals such as Carndonagh Community Hospital, County Donegal, to take pressure off the emergency department at Letterkenny University Hospital at which the numbers of persons on trolleys have doubled from 2016 to 2017, according to a union (details supplied). [2943/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
369. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with a consultant in the department of respiratory medicine, University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2947/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
