Tuesday, 19 Nov 2019

Written Answers Nos. 412-431

Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (412)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

412. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 239 of 3 July 2019, when a reply from the HSE will be issued. [47549/19]

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.

Nursing Staff Data

Ceisteanna (413)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

413. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant nursing positions within County Donegal intellectual disability services in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 201, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47567/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.

Disability Services Data

Ceisteanna (414)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

414. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant support staff positions within County Donegal intellectual disability services in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47568/19]

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.

Primary Care Centres Staff

Ceisteanna (415)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

415. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a post (details supplied) within County Donegal primary care teams and community services is currently filled; if not, the date on which the incumbent vacated the role; the cover available to service users; if locum cover is in place; if so, if the person is qualified to provide child developmental checks which are normally offered as part of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47569/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists Data

Ceisteanna (416, 417, 418)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

416. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for the routine waiting list in Letterkenny University Hospital in respect of oral surgery consultations in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47570/19]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

417. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for the emergency waiting list in Letterkenny University Hospital in respect of oral surgery consultations in 2017 and 2018 and to date, in 2019 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47571/19]

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

418. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for the emergency waiting list in Letterkenny University Hospital in respect of oral surgery procedures in 2017 and 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47572/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 416 to 418, inclusive, together.

In relation to the particular queries raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Proposed Legislation

Ceisteanna (419)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

419. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when the Bill to give effect to the proposed changes to the fair deal scheme will come before the Houses of the Oireachtas; the full extent of the proposed changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47578/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The proposed policy change to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS), to cap contributions based on farm and business assets at 3 years where a family successor commits to working the productive asset, has been approved by Government. The Department developed draft Heads of Bill while considering a number of complex ancillary policy and operational matters which may need to be addressed in the proposed legislation.

The General Scheme of Bill for the NHSS was approved by Government on 11 June 2019 and subsequently published. The changes to the Scheme will come into effect as soon as the legislative process is successfully complete. The Department will progress this as quickly as possible, however, the timeline for completion of the legislation will also depend on how it passes through the Houses. The General Scheme was sent to the relevant Joint Committee and the Department participated in pre-legislative scrutiny on 13 November 2019. The Department looks forward to the report of the Committee following from this engagement. In the meantime, engagements with the Office of the Attorney General will continue with a view to progressing the legislative development process.

It is intended that this proposed policy change, the 3 year cap, will be extended to eligible existing participants in long term residential care so that they are not disadvantaged, but that there would be no retrospective recoupment of contributions for those who have paid contributions over and above the 3 year period.

Audiology Services Provision

Ceisteanna (420)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

420. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment with an audiologist for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [47580/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (421)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

421. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect an appointment with the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. [47582/19]

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.

Questions Nos. 422 and 423 answered with Question No. 400.

Paediatric Services

Ceisteanna (424)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

424. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) cannot receive the correct orthopaedic services provided for children; the reason the HSE is continuing to use same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47591/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (425)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

425. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47595/19]

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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (426)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

426. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of the review of a nursing home application by a person (detail supplied); if the case will be reviewed in view of further medical evidence issued by their general practitioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47600/19]

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 (427)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

427. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied) in Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47619/19]

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.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Provision

Ceisteanna (428)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

428. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an assessment for a child (details supplied) by CAHMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47624/19]

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.

Audiology Services Provision

Ceisteanna (429)

Pat Deering

Ceist:

429. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an audiology appointment in a local clinic. [47625/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (430)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

430. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47626/19]

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.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (431)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

431. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 10 October 2019, if he will clarify the scope and terms of reference of the review being carried out into the safety and quality of gynaecology services at Letterkenny University Hospital; if the review will be conducted publicly; when the review will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47650/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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