Written Answers Nos. 1600-1619
1600. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has refused to deduct union subscriptions at source for ambulance service personnel including paramedics, advanced paramedics and emergency medical technicians who wish to join a union (details supplied) and exercise their right to organise and join the union; if so, the reason for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33575/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
1603. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health when the provision of a new healthcare facility (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33610/18]
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.
1604. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled. [33627/18]
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.
1605. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33628/18]
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.
In 2018, funding of €1.763 billion in total is being allocated to provide wide range of health and personal social services and supports for people with disabilities.
On 17th July 2018, I published the report of the Task Force on Personalised Budgets. In this regard, I am pleased to announce that I have secured funding of €1.3 million from the Department of Health budget for the set up and administration of the demonstration projects recommended by the Task Force.
The level of funding available for my Department is being considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process for 2019 which is currently underway. Pending completion of this process it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
1606. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number and the location of autism spectrum disorder facilities in community healthcare organisation 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33632/18]
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.
1607. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with autism spectrum disorder in receipt of work or work-like activity services in community healthcare organisation, CHO, area 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33633/18]
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.
1608. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with autism spectrum disorder in receipt of respite services in community healthcare organisation, CHO, area 7; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33634/18]
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.
1609. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) in County Cork will be provided with an increase in nursing support, that is, registered general nurse, RGN, hours to include two further nights on a temporary basis in view of the exceptional circumstances that apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33636/18]
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.
1610. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of rolling out free access to contraception in line with the ancillary recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. [33643/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI established a group, under the chairmanship of the Chief Medical Officer, to consider the issues raised by the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution in their ancillary recommendations.
Work is ongoing to explore all of the issues associated with enhancing access to contraception, including associated costs.
1611. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of rolling out free access to emergency contraception in line with the ancillary recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution. [33644/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI established a group, under the chairmanship of the Chief Medical Officer, to consider the issues raised by the Joint Committee on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution in their ancillary recommendations.
Work is ongoing to explore all of the issues associated with enhancing access to contraception, including associated costs.
1612. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have cataract surgery at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33652/18]
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.
1613. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if an Irish person living and working in Barcelona is entitled to healthcare through their European health card after having an accident (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33660/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
1614. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with an acquired brain injury; the non-acute supports and services available to persons with such an injury; the level of funding to support these programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33690/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
1615. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the oral health policy will be published; if such a policy was published in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33695/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA new National Oral Health Policy is currently being finalised and I expect it will be published later this year. The Policy will replace the Dental Health Action Plan, published in 1994, and on which the provision of dental services in Ireland is currently based.
The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.
The development of the policy has involved a number of working groups and detailed research and surveys and analysis of research findings. It has included a needs assessment, a review of resources and involved consultation with stakeholders, including dental professionals and the public.
1616. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number and name of the groups he met each month to date in 2018 that fall under the Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33712/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI meet a number of groups and individuals every month. However it is not possible to say which individuals or groups fall under the Regulation of Lobbying Act, 2015, as under the legislation the onus is on lobbyists who either head up or are part of a delegation meeting me to register with the Standards Commission.
1617. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children and in Cork city and county on the waiting list for an autism assessment; the number waiting for periods (details supplied) for each HSE area in Cork city and county, in tabular form; the estimated waiting time for a child joining the waiting list in each HSE area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33782/18]
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.
1618. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children and adolescents in Cork city and county on a waiting list for orthodontic assessment and orthodontic treatment; the length of time they have been waiting; the number of consultants providing such services in the area; the vacancies in the area for same; the steps being taken to reduce the waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33786/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
1619. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a procedure for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33793/18]
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.
