Gerry Adams
Ceist:675. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Louth who hold a medical card and a general practitioner only card, respectively. [15044/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical Card Data
Ceisteanna (675)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Medical Card Applications
Ceisteanna (676)
Gerry Adams
Ceist:676. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in County Louth awaiting a decision on a medical card application. [15045/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (677)
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Ceist:677. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) who has been on the waiting list for orthodontic treatment for over three years can expect to secure treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15060/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Ceisteanna (678)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:678. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a leg brace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15063/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Ceisteanna (679)
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
Ceist:679. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15064/18]
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 the Deputy directly.
Occupational Therapy
Ceisteanna (680)
James Lawless
Ceist:680. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if an occupational therapy assessment required for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; if the required services will be implemented following this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15065/18]
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 Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (681)
John McGuinness
Ceist:681. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early appointment will be made for a person (details supplied). [15086/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (682)
John McGuinness
Ceist:682. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the contract for dialysis services in County Kilkenny is being put out for tender; the length of time the current operator was reviewed over the past four years in the context of the quality of the service and patient satisfaction; and his plans on the matter and in respect of the future of the service. [15087/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
National Treatment Purchase Fund Eligibility
Ceisteanna (683)
Marc MacSharry
Ceist:683. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health his plans to include outpatient, child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, and child psychology appointments to be converted under the National Treatment Purchase Fund in order to address substantial backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15089/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The development of all aspects of mental health services for young people, as reflected in the agreed HSE Service Plan 2018, remains a priority for Government. Services have benefited from the significant additional investment for mental health over recent years which has resulted in an overall provision of some €910 million for this care programme in the current year.
There are currently 69 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) teams, 4 CAMHS units and three Paediatric Liaison Teams. Approximately 18,800 children will be referred to the CAMHS service this year, with around 14,400 to be seen by CAMHS professionals.
There are acknowledged difficulties in recruiting and retaining specialist CAMHS staff, particularly Consultant Psychiatrists. Intensive recruitment efforts are ongoing but there is currently a serious shortage of suitably qualified CAMHS Consultants both at national and European level. Steady progress is being made by the Executive in filling approved posts for mental health. Despite increasing demands on CAMHS overall, the HSE Service Plan 2018 has a target of 72% for referrals offered or first appointment and to be seen within twelve weeks.
Individual cases professionally assessed as requiring urgent access to services receive priority.
Reducing CAMHS Waiting Lists is a priority for the HSE. The HSE Service Plan 2018 will further develop CAMHS, including delivering a major improvement initiative to increase the numbers of CAMHS referrals to be seen in 2018 by 27%, compared to 2017 (i.e. over 3,000 additional service users year on year). Improvements are also planned for out-of-hours liaison, seven-day response services, and progressing the CAMHS Day Hospital service.
A key initiative to improve counselling services at Primary Care level has been the recent approval by Government for the appointment of 114 Assistant Psychologists and 20 Psychologists to assist young people. These are currently being put in place by the HSE.
Bearing in mind all the circumstances, it is not envisaged or currently planned that CAMHS or child psychology appointments will be included under the National Treatment Purchase Fund.
Questions Nos. 684 to 686, inclusive, answered with Question No. 663.
Respite Care Services Data
Ceisteanna (687, 688)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:687. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of hours of respite care offered to families of children with disabilities provided by each of the local health office, LHO, in each community healthcare organisation area in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by local health office respite provided and year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15112/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraLouise O'Reilly
Ceist:688. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of hours of respite care offered to families of adults with disabilities provided by each of the local health offices in each community healthcare organisation area in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by LHO, respite provided and year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15113/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 687 and 688 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
Home Care Packages Data
Ceisteanna (689)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:689. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of home care packages provided by each of the local health offices in each community healthcare organisation area in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by LHO, home care packages and year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15114/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (690)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:690. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a dental service (details supplied) is to close; if so, the location to which existing clients will be directed; his views on whether this is best practice for persons who may not have the means to travel to another location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15117/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.