Written Answers Nos. 1014-1031
1014. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the future of Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital, County Kilkenny; his plans to utilise same to alleviate emergency and elective orthopaedic waiting lists in Waterford regional hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16657/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
1015. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of measures in place to recruit and retain highly skilled nurses here and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16658/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government and the HSE remain committed to recruiting and retaining nurses and midwives in the public health service. As part of the Nursing Recruitment and Retention Agreement with the INMO and SIPTU, the HSE agreed to appoint 1,224 additional nurses and midwives in 2017. The HSE is finalising the report setting out progress on implementation of the Agreement as at end December 2017. Indications are that there has been significant growth in the appointment of nurses and midwives in the final months of the year with 942 WTE of the 1,224 posts filled (including student nurses) or 69% (847 WTE) excluding the student nurses. The HSE remain committed to the Agreement and efforts will continue to fill the remaining posts.
The measures put in place by the HSE to recruit nurses and midwives included two international recruitment campaigns in 2017 the "Bring Them Home" campaign and the "New Year New Career". Nurses who relocate to work in the Irish public health service can receive up to €3,000 in relocation expenses. The HSE has also offered all graduate nurses permanent posts within a Hospital Group or CHO subject to them attaining registration and satisfactory performance.
Some of the retention measures undertaken by the HSE include providing 120 Advanced Nurse Practitioner education places, a pre-retirement initiative, career breaks and education and training opportunities.
The Public Service Pay Commission has already recognised that nurses and midwives are one of the grades which have recruitment and retention difficulties. Their second phase of work is underway, with nurses and midwifery grades being one of the first groups to be looked at. I expect their report in June and look forward to hearing what recommendations they will make.
1016. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated for the provision of applied suicide intervention skills training, ASIST, courses; the number of such courses held to date since January 2018; if the HSE has run ASIST courses since January 2018; if the HSE plans to run ASIST courses in 2018 which are not outsourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16678/18]
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.
Question No. 1017 answered with Question No. 983.
1018. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to resolve the underfunding of child and adolescent mental health services in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16710/18]
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.
1019. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16721/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1020. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if the abolition of the in loco parentis clause with regard to paediatric home care packages will be reviewed. [16724/18]
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.
1021. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he, with the HSE, will secure an additional paediatric rheumatologist for Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, in view of the fact that there are over 900 children on a waiting list for over three years to be seen in the hospital to be treated for juvenile arthritis. [16725/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
1022. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding parent representation on the HSE primary care steering group for children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16732/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1023. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position in relation to the in loco parentis clause in respect of paediatric home care packages; if the matter will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16733/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1022 and 1023 together.
As these question(s) relate to service matters, I have arranged for them to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
1024. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will have orthodontic treatment carried out. [16736/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1025. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents in Cork city and County Cork on a waiting list for orthodontic assessment and orthodontic treatment, respectively; the length of time they have been waiting; the number of consultants providing such services in the location, including vacancies; the steps being taken to reduce the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16737/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1026. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which the necessary steps can be undertaken with a view to early diagnosis in the case of a person (details supplied); if arrangements will be made to isolate the cause of their condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16748/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the specific case raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
1027. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of works planned for a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16754/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
1028. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for the fair deal scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16756/18]
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.
1030. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of emergency department new attendances at Cavan General Hospital in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16767/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government provided an additional €30 million in 2017 and €40 million in 2018 for measures aimed at alleviating pressure on Emergency Departments this winter.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
1031. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of the proposed out-of-hours general practitioner service for north County Wicklow; if a service provider has been selected; the service to be provided; the scheduled start date for the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16770/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
