Written Answers Nos. 1560-1579
1560. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time to avail of orthotics and specialised footwear for HSE-funded patients aged 65 years of age and over; the number of pairs of shoes a person can avail of yearly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33426/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1561. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndromes; the number of these in need of spinal fusion; the arrangement in place to allow persons with the conditions to access spinal fusion via the National Treatment Purchase Fund; his plans to ensure adequate HSE provision of clinical supports for Ehlers-Danlos syndromes partings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33430/18]
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.
1562. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for home care packages in the CHO 4 area; the number of applications pending in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33434/18]
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.
1563. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 353 of 26 June 2018, the status of the wait for a person (details supplied). [33457/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to the original parliamentary question (PQ 27625/18), the HSE advised that further information was required to examine the issue raised.
I have now asked the HSE to re-examine the issue and respond to the Deputy directly.
1564. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of treatment for a person (details supplied). [33459/18]
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.
1565. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Laois and Offaly awaiting access to ophthalmology services for periods (details supplied). [33462/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving waiting times for hospital procedures is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and in 2018 €50 million was allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to provide treatment for patients.
Under the Inpatient and Day Case Action Plan, which was launched earlier this year, the HSE will deliver 1.14 million hospital procedures. The NTPF will deliver additionality to the health system with the provision of 22,000 Inpatient Day Case treatments through both outsourcing and HSE insourcing.
The Action Plan places a particular focus on cataract surgery and includes a commitment to offering treatment to all cataract patients who are clinically suitable for outsourcing and who have been waiting more than 9 months for treatment.
In addition, my Department is continuing to work with the HSE and the NTPF to identify sustainable initiatives to improve waiting times. In this context, the HSE is planning to open a dedicated Cataract theatre in Nenagh Hospital later this month.
In relation to the specific query regarding waiting times in Laois and Offaly, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
1566. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of orthodontists employed by the HSE in counties Laois and Offaly; and the number of persons under 18 years of age awaiting access to treatment for periods (details supplied). [33463/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1567. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical child psychologists currently providing services to children under 18 years of age in counties Laois and Offaly. [33464/18]
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.
1568. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of children in counties Laois and Offaly awaiting an assessment of need. [33465/18]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
1569. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists employed in counties Laois and Offaly to provide dentistry services to primary school children; and his plans to improve the service. [33466/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1570. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in counties Laois and Offaly awaiting access to audiology services for periods (details supplied). [33467/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1571. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age in counties Laois and Offaly awaiting access to CAMHS services for periods (details supplied). [33468/18]
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.
1572. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age in counties Laois and Offaly awaiting access to speech and language therapy services for periods (details supplied). [33469/18]
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.
1573. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age in counties Laois and Offaly awaiting access to occupational therapy services for periods (details supplied). [33470/18]
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.
1574. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the status of the fair deal scheme; the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33471/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) was published in July 2015. Arising out of the review, a recommendation was made to examine the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the scheme. The Programme for a Partnership Government also committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small businesses and family farms.
At present, the capital value of an individual's principal private residence is only included in the financial assessment for the first three years of their time in care. This is known as the three year cap. This cap does not apply to productive assets such as farms and businesses except in cases of sudden illness or disability where specific conditions are met.
It is proposed to amend the scheme to treat farm and business assets in the same manner as the principal private residence where a family successor commits to working the farm or business, i.e. to cap contributions at three years.
The Government has approved this proposed policy change and the general scheme of a Bill to make the necessary amendments to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 is being prepared.
1575. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the HSE will purchase a building (details supplied) in County Cork to ensure a continuation of vital day care and other services in the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33472/18]
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.
1576. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if a replacement consultant cardiologist is working in Our Lady's Hospital, Navan; if not, when the position will be filled; the position regarding patients at the hospital who are waiting to see the cardiologist; the number of persons waiting on the cardiologist list at Navan; the average wait; and the longest wait. [33473/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
1577. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early appointment will be arranged at University Hospital Waterford for a person (details supplied). [33474/18]
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, since 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.
1578. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied). [33475/18]
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, since 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.
1579. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the HSE sexual health and crisis pregnancy programme, SHCPP, is adequately funded to ensure that all agencies offering support in crisis pregnancy can continue their well-established services; the amount of funding allocated to such agencies by the SHCPP in each of the past five years and to date in 2018; if funding will not be cut or withdrawn from the agencies concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33476/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
