Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

406. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of agencies, quangos or other bodies within her Department, funded by, or established by, her Department which have been scrapped, merged or reduced since this Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18438/15]

Vacancies on State Boards

Joe Costello

407. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the State boards, bodies or committees on which vacancies currently exist, or on which vacancies are anticipated to arise, up to and including 1 January 2016; the number of vacancies in each case; when the vacancy arose or will arise; if the vacancy relates to a chair or a member; if she will provide details of the appointment process in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18480/15]

Garda Recruitment

Shane Ross

408. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider raising the maximum recruitment age of 35 for entry into An Garda Síochána to bring the recruitment process in line with other European Union states, including Northern Ireland, Scotland and England; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18486/15]

Garda Reserve

Shane Ross

409. Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details on the refusal of a person's admission to An Garda Síochána Reserve (details supplied) ; if this refusal will be repeated, if further applications are made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18487/15]

Marriage Equality Referendum

Mattie McGrath

410. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she informed the Government of her view of the involvement of An Garda Síochána on the "Yes" side of the same-sex marriage referendum campaign; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18493/15]

Property Registration Authority

Róisín Shortall

411. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on an application (details supplied) which was referred to the Property Registration Authority in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18510/15]

Visa Applications

Denis Naughten

412. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to reform the current holiday visa system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18515/15]

Independent Review Mechanism

Niall Collins

413. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the Independent Review Mechanism will complete its work; her views on establishing a commission of investigation into serious cases, which raise fundamental questions regarding the malpractice of certain members of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18563/15]

Garda Strength

Michael McGrath

414. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide for each of the years 2000, 2005 and 2010, and for 2015 to date, the Garda numbers for each of the Garda districts in Cork city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18576/15]

Miscarriages of Justice

Lucinda Creighton

415. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will make a public statement on the wrongful conviction and posthumous pardon of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18603/15]

Mortgage Arrears Proposals

Willie Penrose

416. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if, in the context of applications for repossession orders at various courts, including county registrars sittings, she will take steps to put in place a solicitors panel, equivalent to the Legal Aid Solicitors Panel, which would ensure that each of the householders have appropriate legal advice and representation available prior to any such application proceeding and which would require all such applications to be adjourned and-or stayed in order to enable appropriate consultation with the mortgagors to proceed and that no steps in such proceedings be permitted until the proper legal representation is provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18650/15]

Independent Review Mechanism

Clare Daly

417. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the case of a person (details supplied) was not considered by the Independent Review Mechanism. [18652/15]

Garda Strength

Anthony Lawlor

418. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current level of Garda coverage for Celbridge in County Kildare; her views that current resourcing is adequate for the town; if she envisages any new recruits being allocated to the area in 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18686/15]

Garda Investigations

Éamon Ó Cuív

419. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the body parts of a human body washed up on shore at Hook Head in County Wexford have been identified; the reason letters and other contacts from a person (details supplied) in County Cork have not been replied to by her Department, in view of the fact the family provided DNA samples; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18703/15]

Deportation Orders Data

Thomas Pringle

420. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders signed between 1 April 2014 and 30 September 2014, including a breakdown of the nationalities they were issued to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18706/15]

School Completion Programme

Gabrielle McFadden

421. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding allocated to counties Longford and Westmeath for the years 2010 to 2014 and in 2015 to date under the school completion programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18450/15]

School Completion Programme

Gabrielle McFadden

422. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the objectives behind the review of the school completion programme; when the review will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18451/15]

Youth Services Funding

John Halligan

423. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will confirm the level by which funding to Youth Services has been cut since 2012, both in the country in general, and more particularly in County Waterford; the number of jobs estimated to have been lost in the sector throughout the country, and specifically in County Waterford, as a direct result of the cuts in funding; his views that this is a vital preventative programme working with the most marginalised and disadvantaged young persons in the community, and it is essential that funding levels be restored as quickly as possible; his plans to reinstate the cut funding in the upcoming budget; the extent to which the funding will be reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18416/15]

Child and Family Agency Expenditure

Pat Rabbitte

424. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the advice provided to his Department from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, concerning funding being made available to keep open the women and children's refuge at Cuan Álainn, Cookstown Way, Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18109/15]

Departmental Contracts

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

425. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he has taken following his statement in February 2015 that he intended preventing any firm which has a contract with a tobacco group from tendering to work for bodies under the aegis of his Department; the further steps he is planning to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18384/15]

Departmental Bodies

Fergus O'Dowd

426. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of agencies, quangos or other bodies funded by or established by his Department which have been scrapped, merged or reduced since the Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18429/15]

Departmental Funding

Michael Healy-Rae

427. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the new commissioning model that will replace the grant-making funding system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18445/15]

Appointments to State Boards

Joe Costello

428. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the State boards, bodies or committees on which vacancies exist or are anticipated up to and including 1 January 2016; the number of vacancies in each case; when the vacancy arose or will arise; if the vacancy relates to a chair or member; if he will provide details of the appointment process in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18481/15]

Family Support Services

Finian McGrath

429. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the correspondence (details supplied) regarding the closure of a vital family resource centre in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18503/15]

National Educational Welfare Board Expenditure

Denis Naughten

430. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the legal cost incurred by the National Educational Welfare Board in the most recent available time period to enforce the statutory school attendance requirement under the Education (Welfare) Act 2000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18578/15]

Departmental Expenditure

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

431. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown by year, from 2016 to 2021, inclusive, of the estimated additional expenditure required to meet the requirements of demographic changes on a no-policy-change basis; and if he will identify the component parts of that expenditure. [18698/15]

School Completion Programme

Éamon Ó Cuív

432. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to continue with the school completion programme; the funding that is being provided in 2015 as compared to 2014; when the local management committees will be able to inform groups implementing the programme whether the programme will operate for the forthcoming school year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18702/15]

Disability Services Provision

Terence Flanagan

433. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the shortage of places at an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18111/15]

Medical Card Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

434. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18112/15]

Disability Services Funding

Noel Grealish

435. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if additional funding will be provided to the Health Service Executive, specifically to address the deficit in funding for home sharing and respite services; if his attention has been drawn to the huge difficulties experienced by families who have no respite services or have had their services cut as a result of across the board budgetary constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18143/15]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Noel Grealish

436. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if the salary of a person who is on a career break from the Health Service Executive may be used to fill that person's position on a temporary basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18144/15]

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Noel Grealish

437. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if the position of a person in the Health Service Executive who is on maternity leave may be filled temporarily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18145/15]

Health Services Provision

Maureen O'Sullivan

438. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the care plan in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; if he considers the care to date to have been appropriate; and if he is assured that all aspects of the person's needs are being addressed [18154/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ciaran Lynch

439. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be provided with hip replacement surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18155/15]

Medical Records

Maureen O'Sullivan

440. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 has been unable to access his medical records from two hospitals. [18157/15]

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Billy Kelleher

441. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the social workers in counties Galway and Roscommon are going to receive their back pay of €7.5 million for twilight premium time; if the Health Service Executive has provided money to the Health Service Executive west to pay for the money owed; if the executive made any payments to an organisation (details supplied); if former employes are included in the back pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18158/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

442. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment at Cork University Hospital, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18166/15]

Home Care Packages

Ciaran Lynch

443. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when an adequate home care package, as recommended by medical teams in Cork University Hospital and Temple Street Hospital, will be provided in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18167/15]

Home Help Service Provision

Billy Kelleher

444. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will provide more home help hours to persons (detail supplied) in Dublin 9. [18168/15]

Health Services

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

445. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has not honoured its commitment to return the premises on Drogheda Street, Monasterevin, County Kildare to Monasterevin Care of the Aged Committee, for continued use as a day care centre; if he is aware of the difficulties that have arisen in respect of day care provision, since the providers were located out of premises; if the matter will receive urgent attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18170/15]

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

446. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 20 January 2015, the additional services that are now being provided in respect of this child with special needs, in view of the time that has elapsed since the Health Service Executive was first asked to prioritise this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18171/15]

Medical Card Administration

Jerry Buttimer

447. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if he will amend the community lifetime rating regime in order that medical cards are considered equivalent to health insurance for the purposes of determining if a person has to pay an age-related levy, and that such a measure would ensure that persons who have medical cards, based on financial circumstances, and therefore neither require nor can afford health insurance, will not be penalised by the age-related levy, should their financial circumstances improve, and should they subsequently take out private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18177/15]

Health Care Professionals

Finian McGrath

448. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views regarding regulation of the psychotherapy profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18181/15]

Hospital Services

Billy Timmins

449. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health his plans for the development and future of Kilcreene Hospital in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18186/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Pearse Doherty

450. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal may receive an appointment in University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18193/15]

Public Health Policy

Anthony Lawlor

451. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health if his Department was consulted on the revision of the wind energy guidelines, which are due to be published shortly; if his Department made a submission, or if his officials had any input into the review; if so, if he will provide the details of his Department's involvement; if the advice given, or submissions made, are publicly available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18197/15]

Orthodontic Services Provision

Jack Wall

452. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Kildare will receive an appointment for orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18217/15]

General Practitioner Services

Michael Healy-Rae

453. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant general practitioner positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18222/15]

Medicinal Products Licensing

Michael Healy-Rae

454. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a new medication for multiple sclerosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18234/15]

Medicinal Products Availability

Richard Boyd Barrett

455. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow may have access to Fampyra, which is a much needed treatment for that person's medical condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18263/15]

Hospital Staff

Thomas Pringle

456. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) has left a post at Letterkenny General Hospital in County Donegal; if a replacement doctor has been installed to the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18273/15]

Medical Card Eligibility

Brendan Griffin

457. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be backdated to cover the costs of that person's treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18278/15]

Hospital Appointments Delays

Tom Fleming

458. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18279/15]

Hospital Appointments Delays

Colm Keaveney

459. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Galway may expect to receive an appointment for a medical procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18282/15]

Health Insurance Community Rating

Terence Flanagan

460. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the lifetime community rating for those who are unemployed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18315/15]

Respite Care Services

Terence Flanagan

461. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding respite care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18321/15]

Drugs Payment Scheme Coverage

Billy Kelleher

462. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason the drug Lucentis is not covered by the medical card; and if he will consider same. [18322/15]

Nursing Home Services

Helen McEntee

463. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health his views on the Central Statistics Office's projection that Ireland's over 80s population will rise from 128,000 in 2011 to between 470,000 and 484,000 in 2046; his further views on the impact of this demographic change on demand for long-term residential care for older persons over the period 2016 to 2046; if he will project likely levels of required residential care places by 2020, 2025, 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2045; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18344/15]

Nursing Home Services

Helen McEntee

464. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health the optimal level of long-term residential care beds for older persons within the Health Service Executive Dublin north east region by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18345/15]

Nursing Home Services

Helen McEntee

465. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health if he will provide, in tabular form by county, the existing number of places for long-term residential care for older persons in the Health Service Executive Dublin north east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18347/15]

Nursing Home Services

Helen McEntee

466. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Health the demand for long-term residential nursing home care places in the Health Service Executive Dublin north east region. [18360/15]

Health Care Professionals

Michael Creed

467. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the position regarding Government proposals to regulate the counselling and psychotherapy profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18364/15]

Home Help Service Expenditure

Michael Healy-Rae

468. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason home helps are only paid their travelling expenses every three months whereas management is paid its travelling expenses every three to four weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18373/15]

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

469. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current budget of the National Treatment Purchase Fund; the outcomes of this spend; if he is satisfied that this spend represents value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18374/15]

Drugs Payment Scheme

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

470. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons and families applying for the drugs repayment scheme; the number who receive assistance in spends over €144 per month; the overall spend by the State on this; the average spend per person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18375/15]

Hospitals Funding

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

471. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of publicly funded hospitals that are not currently controlled by the Health Service Executive; the areas in which these hospitals are; the national status given to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18377/15]

Health Services

Thomas P. Broughan

472. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the measures his Department is taking to address the discrepancies in recently reported diagnostic tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18397/15]

Departmental Bodies Abolition

Fergus O'Dowd

473. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number of agencies, quangos or other bodies within his Department or funded or established by his Department that have been scrapped, merged or reduced since this Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18436/15]

Legislative Measures

Pearse Doherty

474. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to the Topical Issue debate of 1 April 2015 in which the issue of amending the Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1971 to facilitate the rewording of an offensive term was raised, his views on amending the legislation by way of ministerial order; if this is the case, if he will provide a commitment to amend the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18448/15]

Health Care Professionals

Michael Healy-Rae

475. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the counselling and psychotherapy profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18449/15]

Health Services Staff Training

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

476. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of back-to-nursing courses that are available for those wishing to return to nursing after a prolonged absence; if there are any free courses in view of the fact that there are particular challenges recruiting adequate numbers of nurses at present; if he will confirm that the only courses currently available would require a payment or a contractual obligation to work in a specific hospital (details supplied) in Dublin 24; his plans to add any other courses at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18454/15]

Vacancies on State Boards

Joe Costello

477. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health the State boards, bodies or committees on which vacancies currently exist, or on which vacancies are anticipated to arise up to and including 1 January 2016; the number of vacancies in each case; when the vacancy arose or will arise; if the vacancy relates to a chair or a member; if he will provide details of the appointment process in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18482/15]

Services for People with Disabilities

Finian McGrath

478. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the rights of persons with visual impairment to have access to pedestrian pavements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18489/15]

Children in Care

Finian McGrath

479. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views on the correspondence (details supplied) regarding claims of mismanagement and a lack of investigation into allegations of abuse and neglect of children in residential care managed by the Health Service Executive. [18502/15]

Speech and Language Therapy

Róisín Shortall

480. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the numbers on waiting lists in respect of assessment and treatment for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy, with breakdowns by therapy, duration on the waiting list, area and age. [18511/15]

Hospital Staff

Denis Naughten

481. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the procedures in place to ensure that where concerns regarding the quality of care provided by a locum consultant are relayed to other hospitals, where that person may be employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18516/15]

Patient Transport Provision

Willie Penrose

482. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that appropriate transport is provided to a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has to attend a hospital on a daily basis in order to obtain required treatment, or alternatively, if he will ensure adequate finance is made available, by way of an exceptional needs payment, as this person is in receipt of a widow's pension valued at €195.50 per week; in particular, if he will address the issues specified in correspondence furnished to his Department on 27 April 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18522/15]

Maternity Services

Billy Kelleher

483. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the rates of caesarean sections carried out at Saint Luke's Hospital, County Kilkenny; and the way these rates compare to those in comparable hospitals. [18523/15]

Obesity Strategy

Mick Wallace

484. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent figures from the World Health Organisation that predict an obesity crisis here by 2030, with female obesity alone expected to rise from 23% to 57%; if he is satisfied that his Department is taking adequate steps to address this issue; if he will provide a progress update on the consultation process regarding the forthcoming action plan on obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18525/15]

Medical Aids and Appliances Applications

Tom Fleming

485. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18532/15]

Medical Card Applications

Jack Wall

486. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18534/15]

Health Insurance Community Rating

Peadar Tóibín

487. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 12 March 2015, if he will clarify the meaning of the reply; and if the community rating will apply under universal health insurance. [18537/15]

Hospital Services

Anthony Lawlor

488. Deputy Anthony Lawlor asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 25 November 2014, when physiotherapy services will be available in the Kildare and west-Wicklow area for children with referrals from rheumatoid paediatricians; and in view of the long delays experienced by children in accessing treatment as a result of the withdrawal of these services by Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, the steps he is taking to ensure that, in the future, services will not be withdrawn by hospitals before appropriate alternatives are available at community level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18539/15]

Health Strategies

Clare Daly

489. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the current policy on food intolerance testing. [18540/15]

Health Services Provision

Dan Neville

490. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the rheumatology outreach clinic in Letterkenny, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18541/15]

Medical Card Applications

Michael Healy-Rae

491. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18549/15]

Hospital Waiting Lists

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

492. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on waiting lists for scoliosis surgery, per year, for the past five years, and waiting at present; the actions he will take to ensure these lists are reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18550/15]

Home Help Service Appeals

Sean Conlan

493. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cavan has not received a reply in respect of a home support appeal, despite being informed that she would receive a reply within six weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18564/15]

Health Services Funding

Sandra McLellan

494. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for transport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18566/15]

General Practitioner Services Provision

Seán Kyne

495. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the reason a general practitioner (details supplied) was refused a rural practice allowance; the criteria on which this decision was based; the methodology used to determine the local population; the reason other general practitioners locally are being paid under similar population circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18569/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Barry Cowen

496. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a child (details supplied) in County Offaly; and when that child can expect an appointment with the consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 2. [18572/15]

General Practitioner Training

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

497. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of general practitioners being trained at each level; his plans to increase this number; the number of applicants there are for training posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18588/15]

Accident and Emergency Departments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

498. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the changes planned for numbers of emergency departments across the State; if his Department uses specific criteria to plan emergency departments, such as distance from population, overall number across the State, number of senior clinicians; the way Ireland compares to other jurisdictions in these respects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18589/15]

Health Services

Seamus Kirk

499. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Health the status of major centres of excellence for the north east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18590/15]

Hospital Procedures

Michael Healy-Rae

500. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; if the matter will be addressed as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18601/15]

Hospital Procedures

Michael Healy-Rae

501. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical procedure in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18605/15]

Mental Health Services Provision

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

502. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current level of child and adolescent mental health services staffing in comparison to the recommended number, as outlined in A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18607/15]

Health Care Professionals

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

503. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the progress, to date, in determining the course to be taken regarding regulation of the professions of counsellor and psychotherapist; his plans for further consultation; if said consultation process will be time-limited and, if so, when he expects to be able to proceed with registration through the Health and Social Care Professional Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18614/15]

Hospital Appointments Status

Jack Wall

504. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment for surgery in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; if this appointment is included in the schedule of appointments at the relevant hospital in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18619/15]

General Medical Services Scheme Data

Michael McGrath

505. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the total savings achieved to date from the overall reduction in the income threshold from €1,400 per week to €900 per week, for a couple in respect of eligibility for an over 70 years of age medical card. [18622/15]