Wednesday, 22 Feb 2023

Written Answers Nos. 222-226

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ceisteanna (223)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

223. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health the number of agencies that met the pandemic special recognition payment criteria and have been engaged with by a company (details supplied); the number of claims processed by the company to date; the number of claims queued for processing by the company; the number of claims currently being processed by the company; the number of agencies that have yet to provide the necessary information to the company in order for their claim to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9015/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (224)

Patrick Costello

Ceist:

224. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health the number of staff in the children's disability network teams for the Dublin area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9023/23]

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 to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Patient Transport

Ceisteanna (225)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

225. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the hours during which the critical care retrieval service for children is currently available; the reason this does not operate on a 24-7 basis; the alternatives in place when this service is not available; if there are plans to extend this to a 24-7 service for the hours during which the critical care retrieval service for children is currently available; the reason this does not operate on a 24-7 basis; the alternatives in place when this service is not available; if there are plans to extend this to a 24-7 service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9027/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) Critical Care & Retrieval Service (NAS-CCRS) delivers the model of care for retrieval services in Ireland. The NAS-CCRS provides a comprehensive retrieval/transfer system for seriously ill babies, children and adults throughout Ireland. NAS provides CCRS services between hospitals for children aged between 4 weeks and 16 years through the Irish Paediatric Acute Transport Service (IPATS), as well as for infants aged under 6 weeks through its National Neonatal Transport Programme (NNTP). Delivery of these services is dependent upon partnerships between the NAS and the participating hospitals.

In relation to the Deputy' specific inquiries concerning CCRS operating hours I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly with any further pertinent information that it may have, as soon as possible.

Appointments to State Boards

Ceisteanna (226)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

226. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the number of retired senior civil servants and public servants appointed by the officeholder of the day to State boards, authorities and other State-appointed bodies, after being recommended on draft lists submitted by the Public Appointments Service, in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9054/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department.

The nomination and appointment processes for boards of bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in legislation. In line with Government Decision S180/20/10/1617 of 2014 and Guidelines set out by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department, in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) currently advertises for board vacancies as they arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation.

I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation. PAS campaigns for board members set out the skills and criteria required for positions on boards and are not based on the current or former occupation of applicants, except where certain skills or experience are defined in legislation as requirements.