Martin, MicheálWednesday, 7 May 2003 |
Dáil Eireann Debate
Page of 576
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Ceisteanna – Questions. - Mental Health Services.
Was asked: if he will produce a plan with a timetable to deal with the Government's failure to respect the human rights of people with mental illness.
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: the steps he intends to take to address the severe funding crisis facing major teaching hospitals in the greater Dublin area, in view of the cutbacks and bed closures that a number of hospitals have h...
I have on a number of occasions acknowledged that this is a year of greater pressure in the health services and that the health sector will have to manage service plans during 2003 in order that spend...
Since I became Minister for Health and Children, I have been responsible for securing record increases in health funding and funding for acute hospitals across the country. As it happens, I have been ...
The term has been used with gay abandon.
We can all engage—
Allow me to make my point.
May I speak?
Last year, the original allocation to the Dublin teaching hospitals was of the order of €795 million. The original allocation this year is some 9.6% higher. Admittedly, the original allocation in 2002...
There is a need to dig deeper into the figures.
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Home Help Service.
Was asked: if his Department is monitoring the effectiveness of the home help scheme, including the impact of cuts in allocations to health boards resulting in reductions of services to people in need.
Other Questions. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: his plans regarding maternity and accident and emergency services in view of recent media reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: his plans for the State's maternity hospitals; if there is a schedule of closures; if he has plans for new midwife-led maternity clinics; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: his views on the configuration of specialist services in the hospital sector; and his further views on paediatric and obstetric services.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58, 63 and 81 together.
I presume the Deputies are referring to recent media reports arising from the apparent leaking of drafts being considered by the task force on medical staffing. I established a national task force on ...
Yes, we will publish the national task force report on medical staffing as part of the wider health service reform programme which deals with structural and financial reforms. Members need to stand ba...
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Other Questions (Resumed).
I agree to a certain extent with Deputy Twomey's points on the need to balance the needs of patients, in rural communities in particular, in terms of access to services but also in terms of provision ...
I hope it will be very shortly. The nursing division of my Department has been working on that for quite some time in consultation with all the interested parties. Many births can happen in the commun...
I cannot give a specific date. The Hanly team expects to complete its work around mid May. Some fine-tuning might be required after that. A further meeting of the group will take place in the middle o...
The Deputy would be disappointed with public meetings at the moment.
I have given the time scale for the Hanly report. There is an issue as to whether we should do the three together along with the Prospectus Strategy Consultants report and the Brennan report on financ...
I do not interfere with the protocols issued by the Royal College of Surgeons in terms of accrediting hospitals for training purposes, in particular training for non-consultant hospital doctors, the q...
It is interesting that when I announced the appointment of additional accident and emergency consultants three years ago everyone started roaring and shouting about accident and emergency consultants,...
I am not aware of the individual case referred to by the Deputy in terms of the Coombe Hospital which has provided excellent services.
I will check on that individual case with the Coombe Hospital, now that it has been raised in the House. We are aware that maternity hospitals have been under considerable pressure in Dublin for a var...
There was an announcement that it was intended to close 250 beds and, as I said in reply to an earlier question, meetings are under way to try to ascertain the full nature of that situation and to dis...
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Drugs Payment Scheme.
Was asked: the total cost of the refund of overcharging on the drugs payment scheme; if all those entitled to a refund have been traced and received the refund; if the refund is being made only to those who make...
Was asked: when procedures will be in place to make repayments to patients who were overcharged under the drugs payment scheme as a result of the failure to make the appropriate regulations on time; and if he wi...
Was asked: if refunds will be made to persons owed money arising from the introduction of the drugs payment scheme from July 1999 to March 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 107 and 403 together.
The drugs payment scheme, DPS, replaced the drug cost subsidisation scheme, DCSS, and drugs refund scheme, DRS, in 1999. It was initially introduced on an administrative basis, with the intention that...
First, as I pointed out, on the basis of our assessment, most people benefited enormously from the new scheme. I have demonstrated that in terms of the increased expenditure under the scheme. In recen...
Yes, in short, the cardiovascular strategy has led to a very significant increase in prescribing statins. That is a good development and I have no problem with it. Our recent evaluation on the GMS and...
That is in line with good patient care. We are now allowing people access to the schemes. Previously, they had to go through various bureaucratic obstacles.
There are huge logistical considerations involved.
No. What I am saying—
No. Under the new scheme, the system changed dramatically from the pre 1999 situation whereby one had to apply to the health board for a refund of expenditure on medicine.
The Deputy and I are referring to two different things. The change in 1999, moving to the DPS, was that the administration of the scheme was changed from health boards to pharmacists. As a result, the...
No. Generic drugs are not lesser drugs. They have the same active ingredients but are less expensive than the branded products. We have been actively pursuing with the pharmacological unit which is fu...
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: if negotiations have taken place with Northern Ireland authorities regarding cross border co-operation on the provision of radiotherapy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Discussions are taking place between Belfast City Hospital and the North-Western Health Board regarding the provision of cancer services, including radiotherapy, for Donegal patients. I am advised tha...
The sanction involves the cost for the remainder of this year and the full year cost. The cost for this year will be low, having regard to the recruitment process. The sanction also allows for the ful...
It is interesting that in Northern Ireland they are talking about just one radiotherapy centre for the entire Six Counties, yet the Deputy is suggesting that we should have six in the South.
He went around it and did not tell me which ones should be in or out because that would hamper the recruitment drive which the Deputy's party is engaged in across the country, on the back of the healt...
The all-island approach is correct and we are examining this matter in that context. When the Northern Ireland Executive was up and running, I had very good consultations with my opposite number, Ms B...
Within the next six to eight weeks.
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Cancer Treatment Services.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the findings of a recent report, Surgical Procedures for Selected Cancers in Ireland, 1997-2002, which showed that highly specialised cancer surgery is still being c...
The report on Surgical Procedures for Selected Cancers in Ireland, referred to by the Deputy, was prepared as part of the work which the National Cancer Forum is currently undertaking in the developme...
I do not have any broad disagreement with a number of the issues raised by the Deputy. There is a strong onus, responsibility and obligation on the professional community to reflect on the data that h...
No. It is important to bear in mind that when the national cancer strategy was published in 1996 it set certain targets, the main one being survival rates. Following an evaluation of that strategy, th...
I would not necessarily endorse that. Oesophageal cancers require a specialised response, both in my opinion and that of the National Cancer Forum. I am concerned that more than three-quarters of cons...
Leaders' Questions.
There are.
Private Members' Business. - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome: Motion.
The Deputy has not referred to one particular aspect of Mr. Ryan's comments.
The comments I refer to are those made by Dr. Ryan in relation to the excellent manner in which the Irish Government handled the case.
The Deputy is now making his third quotation from those comments.
I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:
There has been considerable hypocrisy and hype. It is important to keep some sense of perspective in this debate.
It is nonsense to hear Deputy Naughten talk about vaccination programmes being a disaster. Let us remember that successive Governments historically have dealt with infectious diseases in this country ...
The most recent illustration of that was the meningitis C vaccination programme, a well organised, well resourced and well managed vaccination programme which in two years has recorded an extraordinar...
We have to be careful about the language we use in terms of describing certain programmes within the health service, because that also lacks credibility. I respectfully suggest to Deputy Naughten, for...
People can quote from various articles published in The Irish Times. There was an earlier editorial in that newspaper on SARS, which Deputy Neville did not quote, that praises the early production of ...
Deputies do not quote that and do not have such long recall. They did not have a particular issue with SARS at the time the congratulatory editorial was written.
Prior to Holy Thursday, the House did not over-exercise itself in relation to SARS or anything else. I would like to present a brief overview of SARS and why it has become such a topic of worldwide pu...
The 15 EU countries between them have 32 “probable” cases with no deaths. Our nearest neighbour, the UK, has six “probable” cases. Areas of Asia account for the vast majority of cases and deaths. Outs...
The Deputy knows that. He was given an answer at the Joint Committee on Health and Children which he attended. The answer is quite simple and straightforward; there is a public health doctors strike a...
The deliberations and recommendations of the group are based on a number of sound, well-tried infectious disease surveillance, control and prevention principles which are internationally accepted and ...
When one is in Brussels one gets a lot more information on what is going on worldwide. That is actually how we are perceived and the kind of comments people are making internationally—
—is at great variance with the political commentary we are receiving here which has more to do with political issues than with the reality of the situation. On the basis of advice from the expert grou...
In addition, I have ensured that an organisational framework with clear lines of responsibility and whose function is to ensure that the recommendations of the expert group are implemented in their en...
The Deputy's contribution tonight was as good as that of the IMO in terms of presentation of its case. Opposition parties should not parrot the unions all the time, in all situations.
As a general rule, I do not parrot. Such a scenario as I have just outlined does not apply to any group in the health system or the wider public services. We just cannot say “Yes” to every demand whic...
Come off the stage.
Written Answers. - Health Board Services.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a new health centre at the Ballymun Civic Centre, Dublin, has been lying idle since January 2003 due to the fact that the Northern Area Health Board do...
The provision of health centres to meet the needs of local communities and the maintenance and upgrading of such centres within its functional area is a matter for the relevant health board or the Eas...
Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.
Was asked: when it is intended to clarify the ambiguity which exists between eligibility and entitlement in respect of nursing home subvention and direct provision of nursing home care; and if he will make a sta...
Written Answers. - Health Service Staffing.
Was asked: if he has completed his consideration of the implications for the health service of the planned reduction in public service numbers though natural wastage over the next three years; the implications f...
Proposals have been made by my Department to the Department of Finance regarding the contribution of the health sector, through natural wastage, to the planned overall reduction in public service numb...
Written Answers. - Psychological Services.
Was asked: his plans to address the shortage of clinical psychologists in the mid-west region and ensure that the report published in March 2003 is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following the publication of the report of the joint review group on psychological services in the health services in March 2002, a major priority for my Department was to promote an integrated and co...
Written Answers. - National Children's Strategy.
Was asked: his views on the recently released guidelines from the End Child Poverty Coalition: Hearing Young Voices, Guidelines for Consulting Children and Young People in relation to developing public policy an...
Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on the report of Amnesty International, Mental Illness: The Neglected Quarter.
Was asked: the steps being taken to address the serious shortcomings identified in the recently published report from Amnesty International, Mental Illness: The Neglected Quarter; and if he will make a statement...
Written Answers. - Medical Investigations.
Was asked: if he will carry out an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a person from legionnaires' disease at Waterford Regional Hospital; if full disclosure of same will be...
I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the patient who contracted legionnaires' disease and died recently at Waterford Regional Hospital.
Written Answers. - Child Abuse.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the very long waiting times for assessment and treatment at St. Louise's child sexual abuse unit at Our Lady's Hospital, Crumlin, where even those regarded as qualif...
Responsibility for the provision of the services referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the area health boards. When the authority were made aware of the c...
Written Answers. - Pharmacy Review Group.
Was asked: the progress made to date in his consideration of the pharmacy review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: his views on the European pharmacy model, where community pharmacy continues to be controlled by owner-pharmacists in the interests of an efficient and accountable community healthcare delivery system...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 115 together. As Minister for Health and Children, my responsibilities centre on the provision of a high quality health service and this includes ensuring, in s...
Written Answers. - Health Service Staffing.
Was asked: if he has received the report of the task force on medical staffing; if the report has been brought to Government; if it is intended to publish the report; if the report recommends a substantial incre...
The national task force on medical staffing is currently completing its report. I will consider the report in detail when I receive it, and will then bring proposals to Government. It would be my inte...
Written Answers. - EU Directives.
Was asked: his views on the case made by the Irish Healthcare Association and the Irish Association of Health Stores for support for upper safe limits and the full seven year derogation of certain substances in ...
Written Answers. - National Client Eligibility Index.
Was asked: the status on work to prepare the national client eligibility index; when the system is likely to be operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The national client eligibility index being implemented by the GMS Payments Board aims to provide a central database of all persons eligible for health services, without duplication. The implementatio...
Written Answers. - Hospital Accommodation.
Was asked: his plans to ensure the availability of extra hospital beds having regard to the optimum number required under various headings to meet the requirements of the current and growing population; and if h...
During 2000-01 my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Finance and in consultation with the social partners, conducted a comprehensive review of acute hospital bed capacity needs. The Gov...
Written Answers. - Transplant Programme.
Was asked: the percentage of the ?4.5 million provided for the development of the national heart, lung transplant programme which has been drawn down in 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Funding of €3.4 million was provided in 2002 for the development of the national lung transplant programme. This sum was utilised to advance the considerable preparatory work necessary to support the ...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: if he will address the funding crisis in the intellectual disability area; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship which this is causing to both the individuals involved and their families; an...
Written Answers. - Hospital Accommodation.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to reports that a person (details supplied) at the Mater Hospital, Dublin, has written to GPs telling them that he cannot take new patient referrals from them for the f...
The specific issue referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority in the context of its provider plan discussions with the Mater Hospital. My Department has therefore ...
Written Answers. - Suicide Prevention.
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 107 of 20 February 2003, the areas of spending on suicide prevention and research in 2002 and 2003.
Written Answers. - Advertising Regulations.
Was asked: when he intends to introduce the promised restrictions on alcohol advertising directed at young people; the areas which they will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
One of the recommendations of the strategic task force on alcohol which I established last year concerns limiting the exposure of children and adolescents to alcohol marketing. This includes limiting ...
Written Answers. - Community Care.
Was asked: the number of additional extended care and community nursing unit places which have been provided for in the 2003 budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Primary Care.
Was asked: the progress made to date in implementing the report of the primary care task force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The aims of the primary care strategy, Primary Care: A New Direction, are to provide a strengthened primary care system which will play a more central role as the first and ongoing point of contact fo...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: the number of the promised 850 hospital beds under the proposed public private partnerships which are now available in regard to his announcement of 29 July 2002; the hospitals in which they are avail...
The 850 additional community nursing unit, CNU, beds which I announced in July 2002 under the pilot public private partnership, PPP, will be provided in 17 new sites in the Eastern Regional Health Aut...
Written Answers. - Smoking Ban.
Was asked: the way in which it is intended to monitor and enforce the planned ban on smoking in all licensed premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A prohibition on smoking in all places of work, including licensed premises, is being introduced from 1 January 2004. This prohibition is based on recommendations contained in the Report on the Health...
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
Was asked: if sufficient speech and language therapists will be allocated to specialist language units and classes in order that this essential service is made available to all children with severe articulation ...
Written Answers. - Forum on Fluoridation.
Was asked: when the recommendations of the Forum on Fluoridation will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The use of fluoride technology is known to manifest a positive oral health outcome. Local and national surveys and studies conducted since the introduction of fluoridation in this country attest to th...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the Pollock report on Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, which found that infrastructure is inadequate and below international standards and points to other seri...
Was asked: when he proposes to honour his commitment to completely redevelop Crumlin Children's Hospital.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 138 together. As the Deputy is aware, the Eastern Regional Health Authority is charged with responsibility for commissioning health and personal social services...
Written Answers. - Psychological Services.
Was asked: the number of post graduate training places for professional psychologists; his views on whether this is an adequate number; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
At present there are about 105 clinical psychologists undertaking post graduate training in the State. Over 60 students are enrolled on the Psychological Society of Ireland's clinical psychologist pos...
Written Answers. - Health Information Strategy.
Was asked: the position regarding the promised report on the national health information strategy; the status of the strategy; the total budget allocation for its implementation in 2003; and if he will make a st...
The national health information strategy will be submitted to the Government for approval shortly. The budget for the implementation of the national health information strategy will be a matter for co...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: the progress being made on the implementation of bringing residential facilities for children with disabilities under the active remit of the social services inspectorate as provided for in the Childr...
Was asked: when the remit of the social services inspectorate will be extended to cover residential care for older people and adults with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Was asked: when the end of year hospital waiting list figures for December 2002 will be published; the reason for the delay in publishing these figures in view of the fact that the figures for December 2000 and ...
My Department collates and publishes acute hospital waiting list data which is submitted by health agencies in respect of the position as at 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December each year. ...
Written Answers. - Health Service Staff.
Was asked: the number of the 6,496 workers in the health service above the authorised limit, according to the report into the health service for the Department of Finance, who were employed in each individual he...
Was asked: the employment status and job description of each of the 6,496 workers in the health service above the authorised limit, according to the report into the health service for the Department of Finance; ...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 128 together.
Written Answers. - Contamination of Blood Products.
Was asked: the position with regard to the promised inquiry into the role of multinational drug companies in the contamination of blood products; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In November 2001, I appointed Mr. Paul Gardiner, senior counsel, to produce a situation report about the position in Ireland and in the United States in respect of a possible investigation into the ac...
Written Answers. - Child Care Services.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to recent claims made in the High Court that the 24 bed Crannóg Nua unit for disturbed children at Portrane, County Dublin has been only able to accept four children du...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: when the Report of the Expert Group on Radiotherapy in Ireland will issue; his views on the fact that the reported proposals contained therein do not include any mention of local radiotherapy units in...
As the Deputy is aware, I established the expert review group on radiation oncology services to examine the appropriate future development of radiotherapy services. The group has conducted a national ...
Written Answers. - Disabled Drivers.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the crisis which exists for local authorities in providing disabled persons grants; and if discussions have been held with the Department for Environment and Local G...
Written Answers. - Fostering Services.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the Irish Foster Care Association that the State's fostering services are in a state of crisis, and that some children in residential insti...
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Was asked: the total number of persons and the percentage of the population covered by the medical card scheme in 2001 and 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The statistics requested by the Deputy are listed in tabular form below:
Written Answers. - Autism Services.
Was asked: the actions which have been taken by his Department to implement recommendations of the report of the task force on autism which are relevant to his Department and the health boards.
Was asked: if a task force will be set up to establish the numbers presenting with autism spectrum disorders and the causative factors and appropriate preventative strategies and to provide adequate support for ...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a paediatric urologist post has been left vacant as a result of a failure to resolve disagreements between Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght Hospital...
By way of background, I should explain that the future provision of paediatric surgery services was reviewed in 1997-98 by Comhairle na nOspidéal, in the absence of agreement among the three paediatri...
Written Answers. - Health Surveys.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on the implications for public health policy of the recent Slán report on lifestyles; and the steps he intends to take to address the issues raised in the report.
There has been for many years a recognised shortage of representative health and lifestyle data available to health service planners. To remedy this perceived information gap the Health Promotion Unit...
Written Answers. - National Pay Agreement.
Was asked: the reason home care attendants employed by the South-Eastern Health Board have not received their payment under the national pay agreement which changed their pay and conditions of employment in Janu...
Responsibility for payment of this award rests with the South-Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and r...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: when, in view of the long delay in providing the promised extended dialysis unit at Beaumont Hospital, the unit is to be provided; the funding which has been allocated for it; and if he will make a st...
A proposed capital development for the dialysis unit at Beaumont is at present being considered by my Department in the context of a review of capital priorities overall in line with resources availab...
Written Answers. - General Medical Services Scheme.
Was asked: when he intends to publish the report commissioned from a company (details supplied) on the GMS, which he received on 6 February 2003; if it is intended to implement the recommendations of the report;...
The report on governance and accountability mechanisms in the general medical services schemes received on 6 February 2003 was not the completed report but a final draft document. The draft is being e...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: when it is proposed to allocate the ?6.1 million balance of the promised ?12 million for disability services, having already made ?5.9 million available for this purpose; and if he will make a stateme...
Was asked: the action he plans to ensure that funding promised for disability services is delivered; the reason the funding was reduced from ?12 million to ?5.9 million; and if he will make a statement on the ma...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 30,000 bed days were lost in 2002 at the Mater Hospital due to delays in the discharge of patients arising from the shortage of long-term rehabilitatio...
The provision of subacute facilities in the eastern region is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive of the Authority to exa...
Written Answers. - Maternity Services.
Was asked: if the necessary funding will be provided to the Southern Health Board to provide a new maternity unit at Tralee General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of services at Tralee General Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to write directly to the Deputy outlini...
Written Answers. - Legionnaires' Disease.
Was asked: the way in which he intends to respond to the recent fatal cases of Legionnaires' Disease; if his attention has been drawn to the way in which they were caused; and if he will make a statement on the ...
Was asked: the position in regard to the number of incidents of Legionnaires' disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 543 together. Legionnaires' disease is an uncommon form of pneumonia that may have serious consequences for some people, especially people in the older age gro...
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Was asked: if the targets set out in the national health strategy for reducing hospital waiting lists for 2002 have been met; the targets for 2003; if he expects them to be met; and if he will make a statement o...
Was asked: the progress which has been made towards eliminating hospital waiting lists within two years in regard to the commitment given on 6 May 2001; his views on whether this target will be met; and if he wi...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 131 together.
Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.
Was asked: if the extension of the BreastCheck service to Munster will take place in regard to his announcement of 27 March 2003; the resources which have been allocated for the extension; when it is planned to ...
As the Deputy will be aware, I announced the national extension of BreastCheck, the national breast screening programme on 27 March 2003. The BreastCheck clinical unit in the western area will be at U...
Written Answers. - Maternity Services.
Was asked: if neither his Department nor the Southern Health Board has plans to reduce the maternity services at Tralee General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
These issues arise from press coverage of the work of the national task force on medical staffing. I established the task force in February 2002 to make recommendations about how best to organise hosp...
Written Answers. - Health Surveys.
Was asked: if he plans to carry out research similar to that carried out internationally into the impact which participation in sport by ten-24 year olds has on the likelihood that they will never take drugs.
Was asked: if he plans to carry out research similar to that carried out internationally into the impact which participation in sport by ten-24 year olds has on the likelihood that they will never smoke.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together. Two national baseline surveys of health-related behaviours among adults and school-going children were carried out in 1998 and again in 2002. The...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: the provision and policy in place to enable and assist pre-school children with disabilities to receive special assistance to enable them to attend pre-schools; the funding made available by his Depar...
Written Answers. - Compensations Claims.
Was asked: the progress which has been made by the working group on the development of a no-fault compensation system for birth-damaged children; when he expects to the group to report; if he will seek to expedi...
The advisory group examining the feasibility of introducing a no-fault compensation scheme for brain damaged infants has met regularly since its establishment in July 2001. The group has conducted an ...
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
Was asked: the reason for the delay in the provision of speech therapy and physiotherapy treatment for stroke victims in the Southern Health Board area.
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: the steps he intends to take to address the severe funding crisis facing major teaching hospitals in the greater Dublin area, having regard to the cutbacks and bed closures that a number of hospitals ...
Was asked: the situation regarding the closure of wards at the Mater Hospital, Dublin; and if he will examine this crisis situation.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 402 together. I have on a number of occasions acknowledged that this is a year of greater pressure in the health services and that the health sector will have ...
Written Answers. - Water Fluoridation.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to studies that show that substances such as fluorides can enter the body by dermal absorption; and if there is a health threat from such increased intake.
The use of fluoride technology is known to manifest a positive oral health outcome. Local and national surveys and studies conducted since the introduction of fluoridation in this country attest to th...
Written Answers. - Disease Transmissions.
Was asked: if, while protecting patient confidentiality, the case of the health care worker diagnosed with hepatitis B was competently managed from a public health point of view; if all those with whom the profe...
The Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases. Every possible step is taken to protect both patients and health care practitioners from exposure to such dang...
Written Answers. - Health Board Allowances.
Was asked: if the mobility allowance will be made available to the blind; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Ombudsman for Children.
Was asked: the reasons no steps have been taken to appoint an ombudsman for children as provided for in the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002 passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas more than a year ago; and if he ...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: the plans there are to address the seriously substandard facilities in St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane, following the visit of the Minister of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Psychological Services.
Was asked: the actions he intends to take to address the major shortcomings in the psychological services; the number of staff vacancies broken down by post in each health board area; his views on the joint revi...
Was asked: if the funds necessary will be provided to ensure that the vacancies in the psychological service of the North-Eastern Health Board will be filled as a matter of urgency; the initiatives he is introdu...
Was asked: when he proposes to appoint the required number of psychologists to north and mid-Kildare in view of the fact that, despite the recommendations of the joint review group report on psychological servic...
Was asked: when the joint review in respect of the psychological services will be implemented in each health board area; when the recommendations contained in that report in respect of training, management struc...
Was asked: the number of vacancies for psychologists in the SEHB area; his plans in relation to the filling of the vacancies; the efforts made to date by the SEHB and his Department; the impact the shortage is h...
Was asked: the steps he has taken to improve management structures and better support systems for psychologists; the steps his Department has taken to implement the joint review group's recommendation in relatio...
Was asked: if he will ensure that the Government addresses the psychology services in the north-west due to the non-implementation of the HSEA review document recommendations; if his attention has been drawn to ...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 130, 425, 430, 433, 470, 504 and 523 together. Following the publication of the report of the joint review group on psychological services in the health services in Ma...
Written Answers. - Smoking Ban.
Was asked: his plans to ban smoking in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
On 30 January 2003 I launched the report on the Health Effects of Environmental Tobacco Smoke, ETS, in the Workplace which was commissioned by the Office of Tobacco Control and the Health and Safety A...
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Was asked: if a review of the eligibility for free medical care needs to be carried out in view of the fact that so many sectors of society that should have medical cards are discriminated against due to the fac...
As the Deputy is aware the health strategy includes a commitment that significant improvements will be made in the medical card income guidelines in order to increase the number of persons on low inco...
Written Answers. - Company Privatisation.
Was asked: if he has received a request from the board of VHI for part privatisation of the company; if so, the response he has made; the Government's plans for the future of VHI; and if he will make a statement...
The VHI board has indicated that, in principle, it favours being privatised and this has been noted in the context of the consideration to be given to VHI's future. Ultimately, proposals by the Govern...
Written Answers. - Medicinal Products.
Was asked: in view of the current shortage of certain medicines due to manufacturing problems, recently highlighted by pharmacists, the steps he intends to take to guarantee the supply of such medicines; and if ...
I have not been made aware of any recently arising concerns in regard to current shortages of certain medicines due to manufacturing problems but I have requested officials in my Department to make co...
Written Answers. - Health Insurance.
Was asked: when he intends to bring the promised draft regulations on risk equalisation within the health insurance industry before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department has prepared a draft risk equalisation scheme to be submitted for approval by each House of the Oireachtas. In advance of this, the Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2003 which makes furt...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: his plans for the future development of Bantry Hospital.
The provision of services, including the delivery of capital developments at Bantry Hospital, County Cork, is a matter for the Southern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive office...
Written Answers. - Care of the Elderly.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the contention of persons (details supplied) that the lack of extended care facilities for older people in Dublin has now reached crisis point; the steps it is inten...
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Was asked: when it is intended to implement the commitment to extend the eligibility for medical cards in order to bring in over 200,000 extra people; the steps he intends to take pending this, to meet the prima...
As the Deputy is aware the health strategy includes a commitment that significant improvements will be made in the medical card income guidelines in order to increase the number of persons on low inco...
Written Answers. - Car Parking Facilities.
Was asked: when he expects to issue the promised draft guidelines for hospitals in regard to the construction of car parks which was established following the findings of the report from the Comptroller and Audi...
I have established a group to examine the lessons that can be learned from the Beaumont Hospital project and to prepare guidelines for health agencies for the provision of structured car parking facil...
Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.
Was asked: the policy of his Department with regard to the employment of persons with disabilities; the actions, if any, that have been taken to encourage, enable and assist people with disabilities to gain empl...
Was asked: the policy of his Department with regard to the employment of persons with disabilities; the actions that have been taken to encourage, enable and assist people with disabilities to gain employment in...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 507 together. The Department has always accepted any officer with a disability who has been assigned to it by the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissi...
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Was asked: the position regarding waiting lists for cancer services, heart surgery, hip operations and other priority medical needs.
Waiting list data compiled by my Department generally covers those patients waiting for elective treatment. Considerable progress has been made in reducing waiting times for public patients in 2002. T...
Written Answers. - Health Board Allowances.
Was asked: if his Department operates a policy of equality of care, especially in relation to domiciliary care allowance which is being denied to a person (details supplied) in County Louth by the NEHB; and if h...
Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.
Was asked: the situation regarding future development of the Orthopaedic Hospital, Clontarf, Dublin 3; and if this project will be moved forward.
Was asked: if he has approved the capital funding in 2003 for phase 2 at the Orthopaedic Hospital in Clontarf; and if this hospital will receive maximum support and assistance to develop its excellent services.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 401 and 481 together. The brief for phase 2 of the Orthopaedic Hospital in Clontarf has been written and approved by my Department. The proposed development includes t...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will have a hip replacement operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Responsibility for the provision of health services to persons residing in counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked th...
Was asked: if the health board will find a more suitable nearer location for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12.
Was asked: if he will examine the contents of a letter sent to him by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8; and if the issues raised therein will be independently inquired into.
The correspondence referred to by the Deputy has been received by me and has been forwarded by my Department to the regional chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, which has respons...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: the capitation funding provided per capita to children with autism or those with another disability; the total funding provided for children with autism; the numbers involved; the equivalent figures f...
Written Answers. - Psychological Service.
Was asked: the action he is taking to address the crisis in the psychological services in County Roscommon; the reason the traineeship in the health board has been abandoned; the number of children currently awa...
Responsibility for the provision of psychology services in County Roscommon rests with the Western Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matt...
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
Was asked: the details of the changes which have been made in the guidelines for provision of orthodontic treatment by health boards; the reason for such changes and their anticipated effect; and if he will make...
As the Deputy is aware, statutory responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons rests with the health boards in the first instance. Entitlement to orthodontic treatment...
Written Answers. - Health Board Services.
Was asked: the reason for the delay in approving the respite service for County Roscommon to be run in conjunction with the health board and the Carers Association; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - School Medical Services.
Was asked: the frequency of school medical examinations; the degree to which follow up treatment is given; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of school medical services, as an integral component of child health services, is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. The 1999 report, Best Health for Children, commission...
Written Answers. - Health Board Services.
Was asked: the cost to date of sending patients outside the jurisdiction for surgical or other treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
This information was previously requested by the Deputy in Question No. 207 of 26 March 2003. As I have already informed the Deputy, the information is not routinely collected by my Department. My Dep...
Written Answers. - Cancer Treatment Services.
Was asked: if he is satisfied that cancer treatment facilities are as accessible as needed; if the facilities here are on a par with those in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Since the implementation of the national cancer strategy commenced in 1997, there has been a cumulative additional investment of approximately €400 million in the development of appropriate treatment ...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: the extent to which specialities are being or will be provided at hospitals in Dublin and throughout the regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The health strategy, Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You, commits the Government to the reform of the acute hospital system. Part of this reform entails a review of the configuration of spe...
Was asked: the position in regard to the provision of heart and lung transplant facilities which were promised six years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Final arrangements are being put in place to facilitate the commencement of the lung transplant programme in 2003. Considerable preparatory work has already been completed including the provision of a...
Written Answers. - Home Help Service.
Was asked: the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused home help.
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
Was asked: if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be reassessed for orthodontic treatment; and if they can be examined again to see if they need further orthodontic treatment.
Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Mayo rests with the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigate the...
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Was asked: if he will consider granting medical card entitlement to performing artists on the basis of the financial precariousness of their profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Under the Health Act 1970, the determination of eligibility for health services is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the appropriate health board. Health board chief executive offic...
Written Answers. - Task Force on Medical Staffing.
Was asked: when the report of the National Task Force on Medical Staffing will be made available.
The national task force on medical staffing is currently completing its report. I will consider the report in detail when I receive it and will then bring proposals to Government.
Written Answers. - Health Board Funding.
Was asked: the additional funding which will be provided in 2003 in view of the increased demand on services at the Merchants Quay project; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of funding, and any matters relating to such funding, within its functional area, is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority. In the circumstances my Department has requested ...
Written Answers. - Health Board Allowances.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the East Coast Area Health Board has retained 100% of the ?10 old age pension increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I presume the Deputy is referring to charges for long-stay accommodation in health board long-stay homes. Charges can be made under two sets of regulations in respect of long-stay care. They can be ma...
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Was asked: if the issuing of a medical card to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be expedited.
Responsibility for the provision of a medical card is, by legislation, a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board or authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: the steps he is taking to deal with the shortage of neurologists; the number of neurologists in each health board area; if new neurologists are being recruited; and if he will make a statement on the ...
Comhairle na nOspidéal is the statutory body whose main function is to regulate appointments of consultant medical staff in hospitals that provide services under the Health Acts and to specify qualifi...
Written Answers. - Care of the Elderly.
Was asked: his views on whether the service provided by east Mayo rest and care homes association is of great benefit to the community by allowing people to be boarded out in a homely atmosphere; his further vie...
Written Answers. - Psychological Service.
Was asked: his proposals to achieve a significant reduction in the number of vacancies in the psychological services in the medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Deputy may wish to note the significant increase, in excess of 40% – an increase of 121 to 412 – over the three years to the end of 2002 in the numbers of fully qualified psychologists working in ...
Was asked: further to the recommendations of the joint review group of psychological career structures, his proposals to establish the post of director in each health board area and to establish the post of prin...
Following the publication of the report of the joint review group on psychological services in the health services in March 2002, a major priority for my Department was to promote an integrated and co...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be seen at an out-patient clinic by an orthopaedic surgeon at Mayo General Hospital.
The provision of medical services in this case is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position and to re...
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to proposals from any group other than the national task force on medical staffing to close the maternity unit or any other section of Tralee General Hospital.
The provision of services at Tralee General Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance. I am not aware of any proposals on the lines intimated by the Deputy. In fact, ser...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: if appropriate home support, special household equipment and a proper wheelchair will be given in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if the occupational therapist's report wil...
Written Answers. - Health Board Expenditure.
Was asked: the amount of money on a percentage basis that is spent on administration costs in each of the health board areas; and the amounts spent on the provision of hospital beds, nurses, doctors and the actu...
The detailed analysis by health board that the Deputy requests is not immediately available. My Department will arrange to forward this analysis to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available. However,...
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can expect to be called for orthodontic assessment and subsequently orthodontic treatment.
Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Mayo rests with the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigate the...
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) will receive orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in Dublin 11 rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has asked the regional chief executive to inv...
Written Answers. - Sports Funding.
Was asked: his views on the comments by some national sporting organisations that without the sponsorship of the drinks industry they will not be able to remain viable; and if he will make a statement on the mat...
The Interim Report of the Strategic Task Force on Alcohol which I established last year contained a number of recommendations aimed at preventing and reducing alcohol related harm. A number of the rec...
Written Answers. - Autism Services.
Was asked: the reason a study into autism and possible links with gastro intestinal dysfunction is confined to persons over 16 years of age; if there are plans to extend the study to a younger cohort; and if he ...
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
Was asked: when an appointment for orthodontic treatment will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Galway rests with the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigate t...
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Galway will receive an appointment from the Western Health Board for orthodontic treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Galway rests with the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigate t...
Written Answers. - Hospital Funding.
Was asked: the total budget for Mayo General Hospital, Roscommon County Hospital and the University College Hospital in Galway for 2003; and the comparable figure for each of the past two years.
Responsibility for the funding of services at Mayo General Hospital, Roscommon County Hospital and University College Hospital, Galway is a matter for the Western Health Board. My Department has asked...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: when the regulation preventing people from receiving the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant was introduced; the person who advised him in relation to this; when health boards were notifi...
Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.
Was asked: if work will start on the upgrading of Ennis General Hospital, now that the consultants' report is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A briefing document has been prepared by the project team for Ennis General Hospital which sets out the broad scope of the future development of the hospital to be considered in the preparation of a d...
Written Answers. - Nursing Home Subventions.
Was asked: the result of his investigation into the EU tribunal ruling in respect of state subventions to public nursing homes in Britain, vis-à-vis their impact on private homes; the action he is considering to...
Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.
Was asked: the progress in providing funds for a carpark at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; the stage the proposal is at; when a decision is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Tenders have been received for St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny including extensive siteworks, new car park, new roadways and a new main entrance gate at the hospital. At present, approval to progress th...
Written Answers. - Departmental Properties.
Was asked: the instructions he has given the Office of Public Works regarding his Department's requirements for a property (details supplied) in County Carlow; his views on whether the cost of ?1.33 million in J...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was refused the mobility allowance; and the way in which this person can be discriminated against based on age as they either qualify for this all...
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be assessed for a hip operation.
The provision of medical services in this case is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position and to re...
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be admitted to the Mater Hospital.
The provision of medical services in the case of a person from County Mayo is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to invest...
Written Answers. - Grant Payments.
Was asked: if funding is available from the health board for a person approved for the disabled person's grant who cannot meet the full costs of the works.
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: if grant aid can be made available from his Department to provide funding for a resource centre (details supplied) in County Cork which is providing services for disabled people.
Was asked: the reason mobility allowance is only payable to persons aged between 16 and 66 years; the reason persons over 66 are not included; if this is an example of age discrimination; and if he will make a s...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: if an occupational therapist's report will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; the assistance which can be given to them based on their medical circumstances; and ...
The provision of hospital services for people living in County Carlow is a matter for the South-Eastern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer at the board to look into the ...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: the action he is taking to implement the report by the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities; if he will provide the ?6.1 million shortfall for disability services; and if he will make ...
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Was asked: his plans to introduce medical cards for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Entitlement to health services in Ireland is primarily based on means. Under the Health Act 1970 determination of eligibility for medical cards is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of ...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: if a medical operation will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of hospital services for people living in County Kilkenny is a matter for the South-Eastern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer at the board to look into th...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: when the necessary funds will be made available to tackle the waiting lists confirmed by the Government's own National Intellectual Disability Database.
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be admitted for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Responsibility for the provision of health services to persons residing in Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the ...
Written Answers. - Departmental Correspondence.
Was asked: if he will provide a detailed response to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The issues raised in the correspondence referred to by the Deputy are being addressed and a reply to the individual concerned will issue from my Department shortly.
Written Answers. - Home Help Service.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the NAHB are cutting home help services by 9%; and if his attention has further been drawn to the disastrous implications of these cuts.
Written Answers. - Health Board Services.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that meals on wheels services for the NAHB of Dublin are being cut by 14% over the next few weeks; and if his attention has further been drawn to the severe...
Written Answers. - Ophthalmology Service.
Was asked: when an ophthalmologist will be appointed to the health centre in Ballinrobe, County Mayo; the progress which has been made on this matter to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of ophthalmic services and any matters relating to such provision within its functional area is a matter for the relevant health board or the Eastern Regional Health Authority. In the ca...
Written Answers. - Home Help Service.
Was asked: the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has only been approved one hour home help per week; and if the amount can be increased to a more reasonable level.
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for an operation in Merlin Park Hospital, Galway.
The provision of medical services in this case is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position and to re...
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Was asked: the situation in relation to persons over the age of 70 who are entitled to a medical card as of right but whose general practitioners are not on the GMS; if a person who wishes to remain and pay his ...
Automatic eligibility to a medical card was statutorily introduced for all persons aged 70 years and over, regardless of means, who sought the medical card for the first time in the community from 1 J...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called to the Mater Hospital for cardiac surgery.
The provision of medical services in the case of a person from County Mayo is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to invest...
Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.
Was asked: if there is a backlog for cervical screening in the SEHB area; the time frame involved for such screening; if the thin BREP PAT test is used in the SEHB area; if the ERHA has agreed to reimburse St. L...
I am advised by the Eastern Regional Health Authority that approximately half of all smears originating within the South Eastern Health Board region are sent to the eastern region for processing. With...
Written Answers. - Services for People with Disabilities.
Was asked: the home supports which will be given to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny whose child is deaf, blind and has severe brain damage; his views on correspondence relating to this case; if th...
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Was asked: if an operation will be expedited for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the reason the operation was promised in January 2003 within two months and then postponed for 12 months due to a ...
The provision of hospital services for people living in County Kilkenny is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer at the board to look into th...
Written Answers. - Foreign Adoptions.
Was asked: the reason persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny were refused sanction from the Adoption Board to adopt twins from Russia in view of the fact that the social workers' report recommended the co...
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10 will have an urgently needed hip replacement operation.
Responsibility for the provision of health services for persons residing in counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the...
Written Answers. - Occupational Therapy Service.
Was asked: when a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 will receive urgently needed occupational therapy; and if he will investigate the serious delays for occupational therapy from this centre.
Written Answers. - Public Transport.
Was asked: his plans to prevent smoking on public transport.
Smoking is prohibited on all public service vehicles owned or operated by Dublin Bus. Under Dublin Bus by-laws, authorised persons, including inspectors, drivers and conductors, have powers to enforce...
Written Answers. - Assisted Human Reproduction.
Was asked: if he has plans to introduce legislation or to support EU funded schemes that involve the deliberate destruction of human embryos at any stage of development, here or in other countries; and if he wil...
Was asked: the plans he has to change legislation regarding the deliberate destruction of human embryos; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 476 and 528 together. There are no plans to introduce legislation which would permit the deliberate destruction of human embryos.
Written Answers. - Ministerial Appointments.
Was asked: the number of nominations and appointments made by him since 6 June 2002; and the number of and areas where vacancies for such appointments will arise and when.
The information required by the Deputy is currently being compiled by my Department and will be furnished to him shortly.
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: if funding has been allocated in the current budget for the provision of a helipad at Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Services at Beaumont Hospital are provided under an arrangement with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and my Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the authority to exam...
Written Answers. - Audiology Services.
Was asked: the reason for the delay in an appointment for a hearing aid for a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; when this person will be called for this appointment; and if he will make a statement ...
Responsibility for the provision of audiology services for eligible persons in County Roscommon rests with the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigate ...
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
Was asked: the arrangements being made to tackle the backlog of orthodontic treatment required by patients here; if arrangements can be made to have treatment abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matte...
As the Deputy is aware, the provision of orthodontic treatment for eligible persons is the responsibility of the health boards-authority in the first instance.
Written Answers. - Housing Aid for the Elderly.
Was asked: further to Parliamentary Question No. 183 of 27 February 2003, the reason payment under the housing aid for the elderly scheme has not been made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who w...
Written Answers. - Children in Care.
Was asked: the number of children under the age of 12 who have been placed in residential homes here over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: if no bed closures will take place at Tralee General Hospital in summer 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The provision of services at Tralee General Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer at the board to look into this matter and to reply d...
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Was asked: if a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will have a bypass operation in Beaumont Hospital on 13 May 2003 in view of the fact that treatment has been rescheduled on numerous occasions; and if he...
Responsibility for the provision of health services for persons residing in County Sligo rests with the North Western Health Board. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of the...
Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.
Was asked: the reason for the delay in responding to the request from the Southern Health Board for approval of the appointment of a design team for the extension of Bandon Community Hospital, which was sought i...
The enlargement of Bandon Community Hospital from 23 beds to 40 beds is included in the board's programme for services for older people to be carried out under the National Development Plan 2000-2006....
Written Answers. - Food Labelling.
Was asked: the action he proposes to take to ensure that misleading or ambiguous nutritional labels are prohibited from food products; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Food Safety.
Was asked: if he has proposals to deal with the increase in the number of food outlets which are in breach of food safety regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Maternity Services.
Was asked: the plans in place to increase the number of maternity beds in the Dublin area; and if an assessment of anticipated demand has been undertaken.
Responsibility for the funding of services at the Dublin maternity hospitals rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the regional chief executive of the a...
Written Answers. - Cancer Treatment Services.
Was asked: if all health boards reimburse cancer patients who are attending St. Luke's Hospital, Dublin their expenses towards taxi expenses from the hospital to the train stations each weekend as they leave the...
My Department has consulted with all regional health boards in relation to this matter. There are a number of different arrangements in place at health board level to support patients attending at St....
Written Answers. - Audiology Services.
Was asked: the waiting time for elderly persons who are awaiting the fitting of hearing aids in each of the health boards areas; the numbers on the waiting lists for hearing aids in each of the health board area...
The provision of community audiology services is a matter in the first instance for the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA, and the health boards. The chief executive officer of the Northern Area...
Written Answers. - Hospital Services.
Was asked: if funding has been approved to provide an additional 12 beds at Mullingar General Hospital; the date of such approval; the amount of money sanctioned; if such approval has not been given, if an appli...
Responsibility for the provision of services at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar rests with the Midland Health Board. My Department understands that the board is examining the feasibility of c...
Written Answers. - Benchmarking Payments.
Was asked: if additional funding will be made available to the health boards to pay their employees the arrears of benchmarking due for payment in April 2003; the amount payable to each health board for such pur...
Funding has been allocated to my Department in the revised Estimates volume to fund the payment by health boards of the first phase of the pay recommendations of the public service benchmarking body t...
Written Answers. - Dental Service.
Was asked: the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford was ineligible for dental treatment from the health centre; if there is other assistance available for the costs of their dental treatment; and...
Responsibility for the provision of dental treatment for eligible persons in County Wexford rests with the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigat...
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Was asked: the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has still not been called for a hip replacement operation in view of the length of time they have been on the waiting list; and when they will be ...
The provision of medical services in this case is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position and to re...
Was asked: if a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been called for a hip operation in view of the fact that they were put on the waiting list in March 2002 and promised they would be called within si...
The provision of medical services in this case is the responsibility of the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the position and to re...
Written Answers. - Health Board Allowances.
Was asked: if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo has received arrears of blind welfare allowance.
Was asked: if funding has been provided to pay arrears of the blind welfare allowance scheme to those people who were receiving a lesser payment than the amount they were entitled to; and if these people have be...
Written Answers. - Primary Care Strategy.
Was asked: the funding which has been made available for a primary care project (details supplied) in County Mayo; the position regarding same; and when the detailed implementation of the project will commence.
In 2002 I approved the development of the primary care implementation project in question under the primary care strategy. Funding is being provided to enable a number of additional staff to be appoin...
Written Answers. - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Was asked: further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 265 of 8 April 2003, the recommendations made to him arising from an examination of the issues raised by the ADHD organisation.
Written Answers. - Family Support Services.
Was asked: if arrangements have been made with the appropriate health board for the proper care of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare.
Written Answers. - Orthodontic Service.
Was asked: the progress which has been made in providing orthodontic treatment for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and the reason no contact has been made with this person for some considerable time.
Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment for eligible persons in Dublin 11 rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has asked the regional chief executive to in...
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Was asked: if a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath will be immediately admitted to hospital to have cataracts removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services for residents of counties Westmeath, Longford, Offaly and Laois rests with the Midland Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief...
Was asked: if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who has been waiting for a heart operation for the past eight years; and if he will ensure that there is no further delay...
The provision of hospital services for people living in County Waterford is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer at the board to look into t...
Was asked: if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is immediately admitted to Tullamore General Hospital for knee replacement surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter...
Responsibility for the provision of hospital services for residents of counties Westmeath, Longford, Offaly and Laois rests with the Midland Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief...
Written Answers. - Legislative Programme.
Was asked: the legislative priorities of his Department for the current session of Dáil Éireann.
The following are the legislative priorities of my Department for the current session of Dáil Éireann. Second Stage of the Opticians (Amendment) Bill 2002 [Seanad] is due to be taken in the Dáil in Ma...
Written Answers. - Health Board Staff.
Was asked: if there is a prohibition on health board employees becoming elected members of local authorities.
Under the Health Act 1970 the chief executive officer of a health board is responsible, in the first instance, for determining the terms and conditions of employment for health board employees. My Dep...
Written Answers. - Health Board Telecommunications Infrastructure.
Was asked: the costs to the Midland Health Board of upgrading and centralising its telecommunications system; if this money was allocated by his Department specifically for this work or was it from the general a...
My Department provided capital funding of €258,800 for the Midland Health Board in 2002 for upgrading its telecommunications infrastructure. It is understood that the total cost of the project was app...
Written Answers. - Health Services.
Was asked: his views on whether there is a need for a nursing home in the Tallaght area, Dublin 24; if he will note the strong demand in that regard with many families having to access facilities outside Tallagh...
Written Answers. - Departmental Reports.
Was asked: the reports that were published by him since taking office; the cost of the preparation and publication of each report; and the action taken on each report to date.
It is not possible in the time allowed to compile all of the information requested by the Deputy. The information is being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soo...
Written Answers. - Cardiac Services.
Was asked: the reason only 5% of stroke victims here have access to special stroke units, compared to 70% in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The availability of stroke units in association with acute hospital facilities is internationally recognised as improving recovery and treatment outcomes for those unlucky enough to suffer strokes. My...
Written Answers. - Cosmetic Products.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the fact that aluminium in antiperspirants can have health side effects; and if he has plans to deal with the problem.
The use of aluminium compounds, in particular, aluminium zirconium chloride hydroxide complexes, is subject to control under regulations in force in this country by virtue of the EU directives relatin...
Written Answers. - Incidence of Prostate Cancer.
Was asked: the rates of prostate cancer here; if they are increasing; and the measures being taken to deal with the problem.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the rates of prostate cancer is provided by the National Cancer Registry in the following tabular statement.
Written Answers. - Hospital Emergency Plans.
Was asked: if hospital action plans exist to cope with major disaster situations, for example, air crashes, train crashes and terrorist attacks, in which multiple casualties would result, in view of the over-str...
There is an established framework in place for a co-ordinated response to major emergencies. The purpose of the framework is to establish common procedures in each of the front-line emergency services...
Written Answers. - Nursing Home Services.
Was asked: if his Department's attention has been drawn to the national nursing homes organisation's recent statement that there are 500 empty private nursing home beds in the greater Dublin area; if the Eastern...
Was asked: if the statistics (details supplied) are correct with regard to the elderly in acute beds in general hospitals in the Dublin area who could be moved to nursing home beds if the funding was provided; i...
Responsibility for the funding of services at the hospitals referred to by the Deputy rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority, ERHA. Therefore, my Department has asked the regional chief exec...
Was asked: the length of time the capital allowance tax relief for nursing homes has been in place; the way in which it has been effective in establishing sufficient beds, and the controls there are to ensure ap...
Written Answers. - Health Board Staff.
Was asked: the number of doctors and nurses employed in mainly acute medical and chronic medical care in the health service; the number of non-medical personnel employed in the health service; and if he will mak...
The information required by the Deputy is being compiled by my Department and will be furnished to him shortly.
Written Answers. - Hospital Waiting Lists.
Was asked: if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim who has been approved for the national treatment fund will be called for her operation in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, given that her...
The national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, has asked health boards to identify public hospital patients waiting longest on in-patient lists in order that they can be offered treatment under this init...
Written Answers. - Long-Term Illness Scheme.
Was asked: if the drugs (details supplied) are available on the long-term illness scheme; and, if so, in what monthly amounts.
Under the Health Act 1970 a health board may make arrangements for the supply without charge of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances to persons suffering from any of the following cond...
Written Answers. - Departmental Correspondence.
Was asked: if he will respond to the content of letters (details supplied) relating to vaccine compensation schemes and funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I received a letter on 30 April 2003 from the person to whom the Deputy refers and I hope to issue a reply shortly to the individual concerned.
Written Answers. - Health Board Staff.
Was asked: the reason posts in the health service central sterile sterilising department, which have been advertised in 2001 as positions with promotional prospects in the South-Eastern Health Board, have not be...
Was asked: the reason that adequate resources in the South Eastern Health Board area are being allocated to administration while essential services for the well-being of patient care and non-nursing posts are no...
I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together. Responsibility for the management of the workforce in the South Eastern Health Board, including the determination of the appropriate staffing mix...
Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.
Was asked: if he will detail the allocation of funds by each health board to the specific needs of ADHD for the years 2002 and 2003.
Written Answers. - Departmental Correspondence.
Was asked: if he has received correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Limerick regarding a possible full public inquiry into the health problems of animals and humans caused allegedly by the al...
My Department received correspondence from the person referred to by the Deputy and has responded to the person directly.
Written Answers. - Medical Cards.
Was asked: the number of people who held a medical card for each of the past three years up to 31 December 2002; and the number of people who hold a medical card from 1 January 2003 to 30 April 2003.
The statistics requested by the Deputy are listed in the following tabular form:
Written Answers. - Care of the Elderly.
Was asked: his response to the cutbacks in subsidies for meals to senior citizens in the Dublin 7 area by the Northern Area Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Was asked: his response to the concerns raised by the East Wall day care centre, Dublin 3 (details supplied) regarding the failure of the Northern Area Health Board to enable this service to continue its badly n...
Written Answers. - National Hospitals Agency.
Was asked: the position regarding the setting up of a national hospitals agency given that is was due to be up and running by the end of 2002.
The health strategy envisaged that the proposed national hospitals agency, NHA, would have a key role in the organisation, development and future configuration of acute hospital services. The role and...
Written Answers. - General Practitioner Co-operatives.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on recent comments by a person (details supplied), that he is delaying giving the go-ahead to extend GP co-ops to save money.
Funding for the expansion of out of hours co-operatives, totalling €4.143 million, was allocated to six health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority in April of this year. The reason these ...
Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on recent comments by a person (details supplied) who stated that it would be 2004 before the main part of the Mental Health Act 2001 can be commenced and that the full imp...
Written Answers. - National Treatment Purchase Fund.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on a situation where the national treatment purchase fund is being charged more than private health insurers for treatment in private hospitals, as reported in a publicatio...
Arising from the health strategy, Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You, the national treatment purchase fund, NTPF, is initially concentrating on those adults waiting longer than 12 months f...
Written Answers. - Primary Care Strategy.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on the reduction in funds ringfenced for primary care implementation projects in 2003.
In October 2002 I gave approval to the establishment of an initial ten primary care implementation projects, one in each health board area. The projects will involve putting in place in ten locations ...
Written Answers. - Working Time Directive.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on the proposal in the recent draft report of the task force on medical staffing suggesting that he should negotiate a derogation from the European Union working time direc...
The report of the national task force on medical staffing has not yet been finalised. I understand that the report will not propose any derogation from the requirements of the European working time di...
Written Answers. - Medical Practitioners Act.
Was asked: if he will make a statement on the long delay in fully enacting the amended Medical Practitioners Act; and if he will now ensure that the Act is fully amended given that the delay in the registration ...
The Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Act 2002 (No. 17 of 2002) came into operation on 1 May 2002. The Act was commenced and enacted in full on that date.
Written Answers. - Cancer Screening Programme.
Was asked: if his attention has been drawn to the a recent report stating that Ireland's incidence of cervical cancer could be dramatically reduced with the introduction of a national cervical screening programm...
Phase 1 of the national cervical screening programme has been up and running in the Mid-Western Health Board since October 2000. Under the programme, cervical screening is offered free of charge at fi...
Written Answers. - Hospital Accommodation.
Was asked: when he received a project brief for a 50 bed rehabilitation unit from the Southern Health Board; and when he will make a response to the health board on that submission.
The draft brief for the proposed development of acute and rehabilitation services at St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cork, has been received by my Department. Approval to progress this project is bei...
Written Answers. - Infectious Diseases.
Was asked: the current number of notifiable diseases and infections; if it is intended to extend this list; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In Ireland the National Disease Surveillance Centre, NDSC, plays a key role in the prevention and management of infectious diseases. The infectious diseases notifiable by the health boards to the Nati...
Written Answers. - Departmental Programmes.
Was asked: the amount of money spent by his Department in each of the RAPID areas since the inception of the RAPID programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Government policy is that the RAPID programme is to be funded through the prioritisation of the identified areas and the front-loading to them of a significant share of the funding allocated under the...
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