Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Hospital Services

Frankie Feighan

218. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health if it is the case Portiuncula Hospital or Roscommon Hospital do not have the facilities to examine biopsies; if plans to develop such facilities will be explored particularly at both hospitals in view of cases of suspected serious or life-threatening illnesses. [20532/13]

Hospital Services

Frankie Feighan

219. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to develop biopsie facilities at Roscommon or Portiuncula Hospitals [20533/13]

Hospital Services

Frankie Feighan

220. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the average respective timescales for biopsies to be examined in Galway and results returned to Portiuncula and Roscommon hospitals. [20534/13]

Hospital Services

Frankie Feighan

221. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the corresponding timescales for biopsies to be examined in Portiuncula and Roscommon hospitals for both hospitals in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [20535/13]

Hospital Services

Frankie Feighan

222. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the national average timescales for biopsies results to be returned to hospitals without such examination facilities. [20536/13]

Hospital Services

Frankie Feighan

223. Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Health the protocols once a biopsy result is returned to a consultant and the subsequent communication to the respective patient. [20537/13]

National Clinical Programme for Diabetes

Ciaran Lynch

224. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in James Connolly Hospital during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease, active foot disease and if they were seen within the timelines set out in the Health Service Executive’s model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20539/13]

National Clinical Programme for Diabetes

Ciaran Lynch

225. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in Waterford Regional Hospital during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease, active foot disease and if they were seen within the timelines set out in the Health Service Executive’s model of care for the diabetic foot [20540/13]

National Clinical Programme for Diabetes

Ciaran Lynch

226. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an evaluation of the performance of the Mater Hospital’s management of diabetic foot disease against the management standards for the condition, set down in the Health Service Executive’s 2011 model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20541/13]

National Clinical Programme for Diabetes

Ciaran Lynch

227. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in Cork University Hospital during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease, active foot disease and if they were seen within the timelines set out in the Health Service Executive’s model of care for the diabetic foot [20542/13]

National Clinical Programme for Diabetes

Ciaran Lynch

228. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in Limerick Regional Hospital during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease, active foot disease and if they were seen within the timelines set out in the Health Service Executive’s model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20543/13]

HSE Funding

Michael Lowry

229. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will rescind the decision taken by the Health Service Executive to withdraw core funding for the Irish Society for Quality and Safety in Healthcare; his views on whether the HSE is accountable and transparent without the oversight of the ISQSH; if he will confirm where these funds have gone; if they have been returned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20571/13]

Palliative Care for Children

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

230. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement the recommendations from the report, the Respite Services for Children with Life-Limiting Conditions and their Families in Ireland, a National Needs Assessment, on palliative care for children; and if so, if he will outline his implementation plan. [20587/13]

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Pat Deering

231. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Carlow who waited 18 months to be assessed for braces was told they would have to wait at least another 18 months for them to be fitted with a possibility of them then being too old for the scheme and the reason when they fit the criteria for braces the orthodontist would tell them to see a private orthodontist [20611/13]

Suicide Prevention

Dan Neville

232. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the review completed in 2012 by the Health Service Executive on the suicide crisis assessment nurses work with emergency departments and GPs (SCAN). [20628/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

233. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a child to see an ENT; the average waiting time for a child who is referred from their GP to see an ENT; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a child (details supplied), who is having difficulty sleeping, cannot speak properly and suffers from sleep apnoea, has been told that there is a two year waiting list in the ENT department for a referral from their doctor to be accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20632/13]

Childhood Obesity

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

234. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the budget his Department allocated for childhood obesity treatment in 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20636/13]

Special Action Group on Obesity Membership

Mary Mitchell O'Connor

235. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the person who is representing paediatrics and child health on the Special Action Group on Obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20638/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Stanton

236. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the orthopaedic waiting lists in County Cork by hospital; the number of patients currently on the waiting list for initial consultation and surgery respectively; the timescales for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20654/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Stanton

237. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has completed its validation of the orthopaedic waiting list which commenced in July 2012; the effect, if any, of this on waiting lists in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20655/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Stanton

238. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has completed the orthopaedic outpatient improvement plan; the effect, if any, of this on waiting lists in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20656/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Stanton

239. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the number of public orthopaedic consultants in each hospital in County Cork; if these consultants are permanent full time staff; when they took up their positions; the frequency of their outpatient clinics; the plans if any to recruit further public orthopaedic consultants to address long waiting times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20657/13]

Hospital Waiting Lists

David Stanton

240. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made with the Musculoskeletal Initiative in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, which forms part of the Health Service Executive national clinical programme for orthopaedics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20658/13]

Mental Health Services Provision

Tony McLoughlin

241. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the appointment of mental health personnel to the Sligo-Leitrim region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20659/13]

Medical Card Eligibility

Dominic Hannigan

248. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if a child with proximal femoral focal deficiency qualifies for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20678/13]

Medical Card Applications

Eric J. Byrne

249. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 who submitted their application for a medical card before 1 April 2013 are disqualified from including expenses previously taken into account before additional legislation was enforced on 1 April 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20692/13]

Medical Card Appeals

John McGuinness

250. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the correct figures for income and expenditure relative to an application for a medical card now under appeal will be examined in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the appeal will be expedited and approved. [20693/13]

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Pat Breen

251. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health in view of the increase in the number of persons suffering from arthritis here and the cost of treatment for the condition, his plans to include arthritis as one of the qualifying medical conditions under the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20703/13]

Mental Health Guidelines

Terence Flanagan

252. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of psychiatrists needed for the procedure regarding a person being sent to a mental institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20704/13]

Mental Health Services Provision

Terence Flanagan

253. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the length of queues to see a State psychiatrist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20705/13]

Nursing Education

Billy Kelleher

254. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the measures his Department and the Health Service Executive will introduce to safeguard the qualifications of graduating midwives who will not meet the EU standards as a result of not being offered the one year work experience as a registered midwife required in the EU thereby precluding them from seeking work in an EU State which many of the graduates are considering due to the moratorium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20717/13]

Voluntary Sector Funding

Regina Doherty

255. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health if any review is planned for the funding of the Irish Lung Fibrosis Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/13]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Joe McHugh

256. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Health with reference to a service (details supplied) in County Donegal, if there is a timeframe for this appointment. [20729/13]

Patient Transport Provision

James Bannon

257. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the reason the weekly transport services, Monday to Friday, from St. Joseph’s Hospital, Longford to the Dublin hospitals has ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20733/13]

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Niall Collins

258. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm plans for a major expansion of accident and emergency facilities at Tallaght Hospital, Dublin; if he appreciates the importance of such development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20790/13]

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

John McGuinness

259. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if the fair deal scheme will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny based on their assessment report and urgent need for residential care; the reason the approval of funds has not been granted; and if he will expedite the matter. [20793/13]

General Medical Services Scheme Payments

Dara Murphy

260. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive received money in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [20804/13]

HSE Expenditure

John Browne

261. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the Health Service Executive are spending more than €46,000 per year on legal fees; if he will clarify that the HSE seek tenders for this spend and that the moneys are divided up between just a small number of legal eagles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20808/13]

Medical Card Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

262. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a review of a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [20809/13]

HSE Health Insurance Claims

Michael Lowry

263. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to collect outstanding moneys owed to the Health Service Executive by health insurers; the total sum outstanding; the progress made to date in ensuring doctors complete paper work within a set period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20822/13]

Medicinal Products Prices

Michael Lowry

264. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date in cutting the drugs spend in the State; the steps that will be taken to encourage health care professionals to prescribe generic drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20823/13]

Road Projects Status

Éamon Ó Cuív

265. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has provided funding for the construction of a by-pass around Maigh Cuilinn in County Galway; the proposed timescale for the construction of this by-pass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20581/13]

Semi-State Bodies Expenditure

Timmy Dooley

266. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if CIÉ has breached any of its loan covenants in the course of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20667/13]

Road Projects Status

Micheál Martin

267. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding an application by the Slane Bypass Action Group; when he will allow the application for the Slane bypass to return to planning stage in view of the safety concerns held by local residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20726/13]

Traffic Management

Finian McGrath

268. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding heavy goods vehicles using Griffith Avenue, Dublin 7, during school opening and closing times 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. [20737/13]

Energy Prices

Michael McGrath

95. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the way he can help reduce electricity costs for the small and medium sized enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20229/13]

Media Pluralism

Sean Fleming

96. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the key points of his recent address at a seminar on media pluralism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20219/13]

Postcode Implementation

Barry Cowen

97. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans for a post code system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20214/13]

Broadband Services Provision

Seamus Kirk

98. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress made to date with the national broadband plan launched in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20222/13]

Renewable Energy Generation

Joan Collins

99. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with regards to the wind and wave energy projects, the tax and licensing terms of same; his views on whether the public adequately benefits from these natural resources. [20203/13]