Written Answers Nos. 236-246
236. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the capital funding provided for Connolly Hospital in 2017; and the capital funding allocated for projects (details supplied) during 2017, in tabular form. [17167/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has asked the Health Service Executive to provide you directly with the details requested in respect of capital funding at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown during 2017.
237. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in regard to juvenile arthritis will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17174/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that there are challenges in meeting the growing demand for rheumatology services, and that the Health Service Executive is working towards improving access to such services.
In relation to rheumatology service provision, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a discretionary medical card will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17178/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
239. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health if the €80 charge imposed by certain hospital groups on persons with haemochromatosis requiring venesection will be removed as recommended by an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17180/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all people ordinarily resident in Ireland are entitled, subject to certain charges, to public in-patient hospital services including consultant services and to public out-patient hospital services. Under Section 52 of the Health Act 1970, as amended by Section 12 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2013, 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 out-patient setting, the public in-patient charge applies.
My Department is currently considering the issue of the application of the public in-patient charge of €80 for venesection in Acute Hospitals as well as broader issues in relation to the treatment of patients with Hereditary Haemochromatosis.
240. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his plans to meet voluntary committees from Connemara that are concerned with the quality of the ambulance service in Connemara and that have requested a meeting with him, the director of the National Ambulance Service and the HSE; when the meeting will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17181/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may wish to note that I met with representatives of this Group last year to hear their concerns regarding ambulance response times in the Connemara area. Following that meeting, the National Ambulance Service (NAS) met with the Group on 26 September 2017 and since then has met with local elected representatives; the most recent meeting took place on 8 February last.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the NAS is committed to the provision of a safe patient focused pre-hospital emergency care services and will continue to engage with representative groups to improve services in the West.
241. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the lodgment of a new planning application by a day care centre (details supplied) in County Kildare. [17190/18]
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.
242. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a primary medical certificate will be issued to a person (details supplied). [17195/18]
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.
243. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the way in which the HSE will assess and monitor the risks to human health in view of the fact that An Bord Pleanála has approved a company's (details supplied) application for an incinerator at a location and in view of the levels of pulmonary mortality in Limerick city and county; the programme of action the HSE will take to measure and manage the increased health risks to the population in the vicinity of the planned incinerator; the provision that will be made for increased expenditure should County Limerick's position as the national blackspot for pulmonary mortality continue to deteriorate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17210/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the HSE therefore I have referred the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.
244. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of assaults on healthcare staff in hospitals across the State in each of the years 2008 to 2017, by number of assaults and the hospital in which the assault took place, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17212/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
245. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of security staff, associated with an agency or directly employed, working in hospitals across the State in each of the years 2008 to 2017 by hospital, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17213/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
246. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the status of the development of primary care centres in Croom, Newcastle West, Kilmallock, Caherconlish and Castletroy, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17216/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
