Written Answers Nos. 517-541
517. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the development of acute paediatric units in CUH, UHG and UHL in line with the paediatric model of care; and the number of additional consultant paediatricians, clinical nurse specialists and allied health professionals in whole-time equivalent terms recruited to date in each in 2019. [30721/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
518. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the development of the all-island paediatric cardiology service in Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin services, to date in 2019. [30722/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
519. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the way in which the paediatric cardiology network in CUH, UHG and UHL has been developed to date in 2019. [30723/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
520. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the increase in staffing for paediatric rheumatology to improve the access and timelines of treatment; and the number and categories of additional medical and health professionals recruited for same in 2019 in whole-time equivalent terms. [30724/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
521. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if an additional allergy consultant, genetics consultant and dermatology consultant have been appointed in Children’s Health Ireland in 2019. [30725/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
522. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if there has been an increase in staffing in Children’s Health Ireland to include a consultant haematologist and advanced nurse practitioners for the haematology stem cell transplant service to address the increase in demand. [30726/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
523. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if two additional clinical nurse specialists have been appointed to Children’s Health Ireland to the outpatient antibiotic therapy service that allows suitable patients on intravenous antibiotics to be discharged early from hospital and treated in their home. [30727/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
524. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if an advanced nurse practitioner has been appointed to the paediatric neurosurgery service in Children’s Health Ireland, Temple Street. [30728/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
525. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if the HSE is on target to achieve savings or cost reduction or improved income generation in a number of areas set out in the HSE 2019 service plan (details supplied); and the achievements in each in the first half of 2019 to date. [30739/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the National Service Plan the HSE committed to a range of actions/initiatives to address the €499.9m financial challenge arising in relation to the planned service delivery for the year. A Health Budget Oversight Group was set up to monitor the delivery of these actions/initiatives and my Department is committed to the HSE achieving these savings measures. I have referred this question to the HSE for a detailed reply on the actual savings achieved in the first half of 2019.
526. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of staff at national director level, assistant national director level, general manager level and grade VIII level in the HSE on 1 July 2019 or the latest date available. [30740/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
527. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the €198.5 million development funding being held by his Department in 2019 for release to the HSE on approval of implementation plans and commencement of specific developments (details supplied); and the funding released for each specific development as of 11 July 2019, in tabular form. [30741/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn early 2019 the HSE introduced an enhanced internal governance structure for the approval of new development funding. The establishment of the processes around this enhanced oversight resulted in a delay in the receipt of drawdown submissions from the HSE in the first half of the year. Delayed submissions have now been received or are due to be received shortly and funding will be released in due course. The temporary delay in funding approval arising from the revised administrative processes has not affected the delivery of the associated services.
The following table outlines the funding released to date in 2019.
|
New Development Funding 2019 |
Budget |
Funding Released |
|
Description |
€000 |
€000 |
|
Acute Hospital Services - National Children's Hospital |
6,700 |
- |
|
Mental Health Services |
55,000 |
30,000 |
|
Disability Services |
14,500 |
12,000 |
|
Palliative Care |
2,000 |
- |
|
National Screening Services CervicalCheck (including HPV vaccine) |
9,000 |
- |
|
Termination of Pregnancy |
12,000 |
500 |
|
Primary Care Scheme Changes |
70,300 |
30,300 |
|
System Wide Measures |
29,000 |
14,000 |
|
Totals |
198,500 |
86,800 |
528. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of adults waiting for an outpatient assessment by a consultant psychiatrist by periods (details supplied). [30742/19]
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.
529. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of consultant psychiatric posts across the health services; and the number filled by permanent consultant, temporarily filled and those currently vacant. [30743/19]
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.
530. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE community mental health teams operational nationally; the number of consultants employed in these teams, either permanently, temporarily filled or currently vacant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30744/19]
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.
531. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE child and adolescent mental health service teams established nationally; the number of consultant psychiatric posts allocated to these teams; and the number of these posts which are currently permanently, temporarily or unfilled. [30745/19]
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.
532. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of HSE specialist community mental health services for older adults teams across the health service nationally; the number of consultant psychiatric posts allocated to these teams; and the number of these posts which are currently permanently, temporarily or unfilled. [30746/19]
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.
533. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of implementing a living wage €12.30 for all employees directly employed and or in agencies under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30773/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked that the HSE respond to you directly on the aspect of the question that relates to their public sector employees. In relation to Non-Commercial State Agencies under the remit of the Department, this information is being sought and will be forwarded to the Deputy when collated.
534. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of the level of home help services being provided in CH07 at the end of June 2019 compared to June and December 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30813/19]
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.
535. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of the upgrade of the day care centre building on Drogheda Street, Monasterevin, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30816/19]
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.
536. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of plans for additional supports and services for those living with dementia and their carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30817/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Dementia Strategy recommends that the HSE considers the provision of dementia advisors, based on the experience of demonstrator sites, with an appropriate number of such advisors to be dedicated to the needs of those with early onset dementia. In this context, an evaluation of the Dementia Adviser Service, which was published in September 2018, recommends the continuation and expansion of the service to ensure equity of access countrywide.
There are currently 9 dementia advisors working across 12 counties in the Dementia Adviser Service established by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland in 2014, with 7 of these posts funded by the HSE since 2016. €400,000 in funding has been allocated by the HSE in each of the last 3 years towards the cost of the service, and the HSE has agreed to continue to provide this level of funding for the service in 2019 and future years.
The HSE provides approximately €7.9 million for Dementia-Specific Intensive Homecare Packages, which facilitate people with dementia who have complex needs to remain living at home. Since the introduction of these packages at the end of 2014, 443 dementia-specific intensive homecare packages have been delivered, with 201 active at the end of March 2019.
People with dementia can also avail of standard Home Support Services for Older People, on the basis of need and within the resources available. A total of €426 million has been provided for home support services this year, delivering over 17.9 million home support hours to over 53,000 people.
In addition to the above services, the HSE granted €12.68 million in 2018 to Section 39 organisations who deliver dementia-specific respite, home care, day care, cognitive stimulation therapy, social clubs and supports for family carers.
The Department of Health has also secured €6.26 million in Dormant Accounts funding for a range of additional projects being implemented by the National Dementia Office projects including a post-diagnostic support pathway project, a dementia diagnostic project and a national network of memory technology resource rooms.
The level of funding available for the Department of Health in 2020 and the quantum of services to be provided by the HSE, including for measures under the National Dementia Strategy, will be considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process and National Service Planning.
537. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of the provision of a dementia adviser for County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30818/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a response to the challenges facing people with dementia and their families and carers, the National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014. The Strategy contains 35 priority and additional actions and its implementation is being led by the National Dementia Office in the HSE. Progress made to date and future plans, are recorded in the mid-term review of the Strategy's implementation, which was published in May 2018.
In 2016 and 2017, the National Dementia Office partnered with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland on a project to map dementia-specific community-based services and supports. It provides a useful snapshot and baseline study into what, where and when dementia services are being offered, including in those counties that currently do not have access to a dementia adviser. The study has also been used to inform a service finder hosted on the National Dementia Office’s website at https://www.understandtogether.ie/get-support/service-finder/. This allows people to search for dementia-specific community services in their area.
The National Dementia Strategy requires the HSE to consider the provision of dementia advisers, based on the experience of demonstrator sites. In this context, an evaluation of the Dementia Adviser Service, which was published in September 2018, recommends the continuation and expansion of the service to ensure equity of access countrywide.
There are nine Dementia Advisers working in the Dementia Adviser Service established by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) in mid-2014. The service covers 12 counties: Cork, Kerry, Tipperary, Limerick, parts of Clare, Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan and Dublin.
Seven of the 9 posts have been funded by the HSE since 2016, while the Mayo post is funded by Community Action on Dementia Mayo. €400,000 has been allocated by the HSE in each of the last 3 years towards the cost of the service and a commitment has been made to continue this funding in 2019 and in future years.
The level of funding available for the Department of Health in 2020 and the quantum of services to be provided by the HSE, including for further expansion of the Dementia Adviser Service, will be considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process and National Service Planning.
538. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the details of the 16 laboratories reported in the second Scally report; the locations of each; the dates of each visit by the doctor and their team; and the attendees from the team at each visit in tabular form. [30819/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Supplementary Report of the Scoping Inquiry sets out the 16 laboratories identified by the Inquiry as follows:
|
Quest Diagnostics |
Sonic Healthcare - CPL |
Sonic Healthcare - MedLab |
Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital |
|
Teterboro, NJ |
Orlando, FL |
Dublin, Ireland |
Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin |
|
Grand Rapids, MI |
Victoria, TX |
Salford, Manchester |
|
|
Schaumburg/Wood Dale, IL |
Austin, TX |
TDL, London, UK |
|
|
Lansing, IL |
San Antonia, TX |
||
|
Irving (Dallas) TX |
Las Vegas, NV |
||
|
Houston, TX |
Honolulu, HI |
Dr Scally's Scoping Inquiry into CervicalCheck was conducted on an independent basis. As was previously advised to the Deputy, my Department does not hold records of the travel arrangements of Dr Scally or other members of the Scoping Inquiry team.
539. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the status of the project to construct a rehabilitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30842/19]
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.
540. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the different income streams directly paid by persons to his Department or agencies under his remit, such as motor tax; the number of persons making annual payments; the value of same; the number of payments made through staged or increment payments; the value of same; the additional income generated as a result of payments being made on an incremental basis; if incremental payments are not available, the reason for same; the corresponding figures for 1999 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30856/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no income streams directly paid by persons into the Department.
I have contacted agencies under the aegis of my Department and they will respond directly on relation to income streams specific to their agency.
541. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of children in Cork city and county on the waiting list for an autism assessment; the number waiting for periods (details supplied); the expected waiting time for a child being put on the waiting list on 11 July 2019 in each HSE area in Cork city and county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30866/19]
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.
