Tuesday, 18 Jun 2019

Written Answers Nos. 397-417

Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Ceisteanna (397)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

397. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health his plans to allocate a speech and language therapist for Thurles, County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25239/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Hospital Car Parks

Ceisteanna (398)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

398. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health when the implementation of the €10 cap on hospital car park charges will be introduced to the car parks in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25253/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have made it clear that I want to see progress made in this area and am working with my Department and the HSE in this regard. In March 2018, I requested the HSE to conduct a review of hospital car parking charges with a view to establishing clear national guidelines in the area. The HSE is currently liaising with Hospital Groups nationally to develop an implementation plan to accompany the review report . When submitted, my Department will consider the implementation plan in collaboration with the HSE as part of the service planning process.

Medical Conditions

Ceisteanna (399)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

399. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 833 of 26 March 2019, if he will report on the consideration of the report of the working group on the model of care for lymphoedema and lipoedema; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25255/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The working group report detailing the proposed model of care for lymphoedema and lipoedema treatment in Ireland has been finalised and was published on the HSE website in April 2019. The report is available at:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/publications/lymphoedema-model-of-care.pdf.

The HSE will initiate a 12-month 'proof of concept' programme in September this year. This programme will consist of:

- an early detection service in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin;

- a community demonstration site in Community Healthcare Organisation 8 (Laois/Offaly);

- the introduction of lymphoedema education into undergraduate programmes; and,

- eLearning modules in lymphoedema awareness for health care practitioners.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (400)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

400. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health when the building to house the MRI scanner for the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar will commence (details supplied). [25256/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department is continuing to work with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Health Service Executive in a process to finalise as soon as possible a multi-annual Capital Plan for the HSE, which will include capital projects to be funded in 2019 and beyond, having regard to the available capital funding and the number of large national capital projects currently underway. The availability of funding determines the timeframe for the delivery of capital projects such as the proposed MRI accommodation at Regional Hospital Mullingar.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (401)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

401. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [25258/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Ceisteanna (402)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

402. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the shortage of general practitioner services at Ballymore health centre, County Westmeath (details supplied). [25269/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Respite Care Services Provision

Ceisteanna (403)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

403. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the provisions which can be made for obtaining respite care for a person (details supplied). [25271/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (404)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

404. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive an appointment from the breast clinic in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25272/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Mental Health Services Funding

Ceisteanna (405)

Alan Kelly

Ceist:

405. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health his plans to fund an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25280/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE is responsible for deciding on the allocation of funding to suitable organisations and projects, based on locally identified needs and priorities, with the HSE's Mental Health Services being responsible for allocating funding related to mental health. Applications for funding should be made directly by interested organisations to the appropriate area of the HSE, which in this case is Mental Health Services. They can be contacted directly at: [e-mail]

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Hospital Facilities

Ceisteanna (406)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

406. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of progress on the modular units at South Tipperary General Hospital; when the units will be open for patients; the stage the recruitment process is at; the funds allocated in budget 2019 that will allow the unit to be operational in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25281/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare services and infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Hospitals Capital Programme

Ceisteanna (407)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

407. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the status of progress on the capital project at St. Patrick's Hospital, Cashel, County Tipperary; the completion date; the funds allocated and ring-fenced for the completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25282/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare services and infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (408)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

408. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when funding will be provided following approval of a transport place for a person (details supplied) in order that they can be transported from their residence to their education setting and supporting their additional needs and requirements [25283/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Home Help Service

Ceisteanna (409)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

409. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when home help providers who have not received mileage costs will receive same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25284/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Medical Conditions

Ceisteanna (410)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

410. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the criteria used here to diagnose ME as described under G.93.3 WHO, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10); if the HSE will be requested to develop guidelines for the condition relevant to Ireland and reference contemporary research to complement work being carried out in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25290/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (411)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

411. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the lack of specialist consultants for ME patients; his views on whether ME is a multi-system disease involving many areas with many debilitating symptoms which require patients to see different consultants, requiring high medical expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25291/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Medical Conditions

Ceisteanna (412)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

412. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to update its diagnostic and treatment procedures for persons with ME to reflect best international practice; if he will address the lack of specialist support within the health service for those suffering with ME; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25292/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (413)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

413. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will have an urgently required MRI scan conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25294/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (414)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

414. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment and treatment from the child and adolescent mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25295/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Care of the Elderly

Ceisteanna (415)

Noel Grealish

Ceist:

415. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if a health and safety report will be released on a unit which was being used to provide services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25296/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (416)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

416. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied). [25299/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under 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.

Protected Disclosures

Ceisteanna (417)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

417. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on whether a threat by a person (details supplied) to call the authorities on a whistleblower at University Hospital Limerick to be a form of penalisation. [25307/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.