Written Answers Nos. 219-243
219. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of agency medical professionals employed or contracted by his Department to provide occupational therapy and psychological services to meet the needs of parents to obtain timely assessments of children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51077/18]
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.
220. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on the HSE’s refusal to accept privately obtained professional medical assessments of needs of children with autism and other special needs; the reason for the adoption of this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51078/18]
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.
221. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters (details supplied) relating to CervicalCheck; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51080/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing Dr Scally and Dr Denton's appearance at the Joint Committee on Health in October, there has been continued engagement between Dr Scally, his team and the HSE. The HSE advises that as part of this engagement it has addressed queries relating to the audit, and I understand that there are no outstanding queries at this point.
In relation to the specifics of how the 190 cases relate to the 221 women who were identified as part of the CervicalCheck audit, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on that matter.
222. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 663 of 7 September 2018, if full tender documents are finalised; when this proposed facility will go to tender; if there is a commencement date for construction in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51081/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
223. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if the urgent need for 24 hour care for a person (details supplied) will be recognised; if funding for same will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51091/18]
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.
224. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had to wait a long time for an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51094/18]
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.
225. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for HSE addiction rehabilitation programmes in all CHO areas to date in 2018;the average length of time a person is granted a HSE addiction rehabilitation programme in each of the CHO areas in 2016 and 2017 and to date in 2018; the number of private clinics the HSE works with in each of the CHO areas; the number of beds it has agreements on in each of these private clinics; and the percentage of persons who have entered HSE rehabilitation programmes nationally on more than one occasion in tabular form. [51095/18]
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.
226. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the status of the general scheme of the human tissue Bill. [51096/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe General Scheme of a Human Tissue Bill is being finalised at present and will be submitted to Government shortly.
227. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [51100/18]
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.
228. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the position with regard to a facility (details supplied) in County Mayo; if he will consider keeping this facility open in particular the day services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51106/18]
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 a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
229. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if respite care for a child (details supplied) in County Cork will be arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51107/18]
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.
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 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.
230. Deputy Maria Bailey asked the Minister for Health the funding from his Department and the HSE for all neurological disorders (details supplied). [51109/18]
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 a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
231. Deputy Maria Bailey asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has developed or plans to develop a dementia and delirium care pathway for acute patients. [51110/18]
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.
232. Deputy Maria Bailey asked the Minister for Health the status of the proposals and timelines for the regulation of home and community care services for older persons. [51111/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health is currently engaged in the development of a new statutory scheme and system of regulation of adult home-support services. In preparation for the development of the regulatory system, the Department commissioned the Health Research Board to carry-out a review of the home-care systems in four countries.
The Department also undertook a public consultation process to which respondents offered views on the importance of regulation of these services and how such a system should operate. These reports are published on the Department’s website and will help to ensure that the new system of regulation will be informed by both international experience and the views of stakeholders, including service users. Work is ongoing on the most appropriate statutory homecare scheme in line with the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy which committed to its introduction in 2021.
233. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for an angiogram will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51116/18]
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.
234. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the progress made to enact the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. [51121/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that responsibility for implementation of the actions in the Irish Sign Language Act, 2017, rests with my colleague the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
235. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the progress his Department has achieved in reducing its carbon footprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51133/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2009 the Government set a national target for Ireland to improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. At the same time, a more challenging efficiency target of 33% was set for the public sector to demonstrate leadership on energy efficiency.
The 20% improvement in energy efficiency by the public sector towards its target of 33% by 2020, has been achieved based largely on low-cost behavioural change measures.
The Department of Health has been working with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Energy, the SEAI and the OPW via the Optimising Power at Work Programme on energy efficiency measures.
In the most recent data available "Health" is shown as having achieved 17% savings to date and “not on track to achieve the target”. However, it should be noted that this relates to the Health Sector as a whole, and not just the Department. The HSE has been working to address energy usage, particularly in Acute Hospitals - which are among the biggest energy users in the Sector. To put this in context, one large-scale project could deliver significant savings that would achieve the target on behalf of the entire sector.
In relation to the Department, it has been participating in the OPW “Optimising Power at Work” scheme since 2007. This is the baseline year. Overall energy consumption in Hawkins House for the period 2017 v 2007 has shown an increase of 7.1%. This is primarily explained by a substantial increase in gas consumption over the year. A 33.3% increase on the base year was evident. This reflects the condition of Hawkins House and the adverse weather conditions over the period.
Electricity consumption continued to perform well, at the end of 2017 a saving of 26% was achieved.
|
Description |
Electricity |
Gas |
Total |
|
Benchmark Year |
1,140,467 |
1,452,118 |
2,592,585 |
|
Previous 12 Months |
839,484 |
1,936,005 |
2,775,549 |
|
% Difference |
-26.4% |
33.3% |
7.1% |
The Department continued with a range of initiatives to improve energy performance including:
- Improvements from “turn off” initiative - with a particular focus on all PCs being shut down at 10pm nightly, if they have not already been shut down by the user.
- Monitoring of time clocks on mechanical and electrical systems.
- Monthly energy reporting.
- BMS (Building Maintenance System) Maintenance.
In July 2018, the Department moved to an A rated Building Energy Rating (BER) accommodation in Miesian Plaza and it is expected that this will have a positive impact on the target going forward. This should be most evident by the end of 2019 when the Department can compare full-year data in relevant categories.
236. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) dated 31 October 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51160/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
237. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 343 of 9 October 2018, if further testing of the population for the presence of environmental chemicals will be undertaken; the nature of these chemicals; if men will be included in the cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51161/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for the HSE so I have referred the question to the HSE for attention and direct reply.
238. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if the annual €51,000 subvention from the HSE to a centre (details supplied) is for the purpose of paying rent for a unit in Castleisland, County Kerry; if so, the reason this is being paid through the centre; the number of years this has been the practice; and the purpose for which that premises is used. [51183/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the health budget to meet in full the costs likely to occur during the course of 2019; if budgetary overruns are expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51206/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have secured a significant allocation for the Health sector in Budget 2019, underpinned by a substantial 2018 Supplementary Estimate. I am presently awaiting submission by the HSE of a National Service Plan for 2019 based on this budgetary allocation, which will address the many competing demands for health spending in 2019.
Pending completion of this process it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of extra nurses recruited to the public health sector in the course of the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51207/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioner vacancies identified and waiting to be filled throughout the country; his plans to meet this requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51208/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for it to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant positions to be filled throughout the public health sector; his plans to fill these vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51209/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing posts available to be filled at all levels throughout the public health sector; his plans to fill these vacancies at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51210/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
