Paul Donnelly
Ceist:594. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of cardiology procedures, by type, that were carried out in CHI Temple Street in 2023 and to date in 2024. [20647/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospital Procedures
Ceisteanna (594)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
National Treatment Purchase Fund
Ceisteanna (595)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:595. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the services purchased by Beaumont Hospital under the national treatment purchase plan for the years of 2021 to date in 2024; and the breakdown of services purchased. [20648/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the particular query raised, the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has provided my Department with the attached table which outlines the specialties for which treatment was procured by the NTPF for patients on waiting lists at Beaumont Hospital, for the time periods requested.
|
Beaumont Hospital |
|||
|
List of Specialities Funded by NTPF |
|||
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024* |
|
Cardiac Surgery/ Cardiology |
Cardiac Surgery/ Cardiology |
Cardiac Surgery/ Cardiology |
Cardiac Surgery/ Cardiology |
|
General Surgery |
General Surgery |
General Surgery |
General Surgery |
|
Gynaecology |
Gynaecology |
Gynaecology |
Gynaecology |
|
Immunology |
Immunology |
Surgical Dermatology |
Surgical Dermatology |
|
Neurology |
Neurology |
Neurology |
Neurology |
|
Neurosurgery |
Neurosurgery |
Neurosurgery |
Neurosurgery |
|
Non Cosmetic Plastic Surgery |
Pain Management |
Ophthalmology |
Ophthalmology |
|
Ophthalmology |
Non Cosmetic Plastic Surgery |
Radiology |
Respiratory |
|
Orthopaedics |
Ophthalmology |
Orthopaedics |
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
|
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
Orthopaedics |
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
Pain Management |
|
Pain Management |
Otolaryngology (ENT) |
Pain Management |
Non Cosmetic Plastic Surgery |
|
Rheumatology |
Non Cosmetic Plastic Surgery |
Non Cosmetic Plastic Surgery |
Radiology |
|
Surgical Dermatology |
Surgical Dermatology |
Respiratory |
Rheumatology |
|
Urology |
Radiology |
General Surgery |
General Surgery |
|
Vascular Surgery |
Respiratory |
Rheumatology |
Urology |
|
Rheumatology |
Urology |
||
|
Urology |
|||
|
Vascular Surgery |
|||
|
*March YTD |
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Ceisteanna (596)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:596. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 264 of 28 September 2023, the reason an inconsistent policy of appeal was applied (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20659/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (597)
Martin Browne
Ceist:597. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health to provide a detailed account of the work to be undertaken by the support team recently announced to address the current pressures on health services in the mid-west region; to provide any terms of reference under which they operate; to outline how their role relates to UHL, Ennis Hospital, St John’s Hospital and Nenagh Hospital individually; if the team is examining the role and the current circumstances relating to community health care provision and the nature of the work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20683/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following on from measures announce recently to help alleviate the problems in University Hospital Limerick, the Minister for Health and the Chief Executive of the HSE also announced a support team to address the current pressures on health services in the Mid West region. The team is made up of:
• Ms Grace Rothwell, National Director
• Ms. Orla Kavanagh Director of Nursing & Integration at Waterford University Hospital
• Retired Emergency Medicine Consultant Dr Fergal Hickey.
The team will begin work immediately and in the short term will work with the Regional Executive Officer and her wider team using internal mechanisms within the HSE to help improve patient flow in the region.
As elements of your question relate to operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (598)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:598. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive an appointment at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20689/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (599)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:599. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is in agreement with the Irish Dental Association’s policy paper “Towards a Sustainable Oral Healthcare Service”; the extent to which he expects a reliable fund stream to be available for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20691/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Officials in my Department met with the Irish Dental Association (IDA) on 12 April 2024 in order for the IDA to present its position paper "Towards a Sustainable Oral Healthcare Service" and to discuss the next steps on implementation of the National Oral Health Policy, Smile Agus Sláinte. This meeting was the second between the IDA and the Department of Health this year, and a further meeting is provisionally scheduled for next month.
The IDA's paper uses the WHO Global Oral Health Strategy as the foundation and "building blocks" to implement the National Oral Health Policy and thereby reform oral healthcare services in Ireland. I fully support the WHO Strategy and subsequent WHO Global Oral Health Action Plan. Officials in my Department coordinated Ireland's input during the drafting of the Strategy and continue to lead Ireland's work in implementing the Action Plan. In addition, my Department liaised with the WHO throughout the development of the National Oral Health Policy. Accordingly, the National Oral Health Policy itself reflects the ethos, practices and intentions of the WHO Global Oral Health Resolution, Global Oral Health Strategy and Global Oral Health Action Plan.
Implementation of the National Oral Health Policy is a top priority for the Government and will improve patient access to oral healthcare services. An implementation plan for the first (2024-2026) phase of rollout is being developed jointly between my Department and the HSE, for consultation and publication in Q3 2024. Development of the clinical aspects of new services for children and adults is underway and the implementation plan for the Policy will provide clarity on the timings and milestones for the first phase to end-2026.
The implementation plan will also address workforce planning and legislative reform. The progressing of any measures with resource implications will be dependent on the outcome of the normal budgetary process in any given year.
Hospital Services
Ceisteanna (600)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:600. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if efforts continue to be made to improve patient safety and best practice to ensure an improved working environment at University Hospital Limerick and to avert the repeat of recent incidents there, with particular reference to addressing the most important and fundamental issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20693/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recognise the serious and ongoing concerns about University Hospital Limerick, and the huge impact that these are having on staff, patients, families, and communities within the Midwest.
The delivery of high quality, safe services is a priority within the Irish healthcare system. An integral part of this is the appropriate and timely reporting of adverse events when they do occur. It is vital that our health services take steps to ensure adverse events are appropriately reviewed and responded to so that care and experiences for patients and their families can continuously improve. The HSE has systems and procedures in place to respond when an adverse incident occurs. The HSE’s Incident Management Framework is applied to the management of such incidents and is the mechanism for incident investigations in the HSE. The focus of the Framework is on understanding how and why an incident occurred and using this knowledge to improve safety.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have had intensive engagement with the HSE concerning this hospital, and have provided significant and sustained investment in the region. There has been a 43% in the workforce at UHL since 2019, and 108 new beds have opened at the hospital since 2020. The budget allocation has increased by 44% since 2019 to €383 million in 2023.
Further to this on April 4th 2024, I have announced an extended series of measures agreed with the HSE to address ongoing issues at the hospital.
Measures to increase bed capacity include:
• A procurement process has been initiated for the operation of the new 50-bed Community Nursing Unit in Nenagh as a step-down sub-acute and rehabilitation facility for UHL. This is on a temporary basis for one year, until the first new 96-bed block is opened at UHL in 2025.
• The first new 96-bed block – currently under construction – will comprise 71 new acute beds for UHL, and 25 beds to replace existing beds from nightingale wards that require replacement and refurbishment in line with regulatory requirements.
• A further 20 permanent step-down transition and rehabilitation beds are being procured in Clare.
• I have mandated that all steps are taken to accelerate the second 96-bed block to be built at UHL. All 96-beds of this block will be additional beds for the hospital; comprising 48 medical and 48 surgical beds.
• Funding is also being provided for 16 additional fast build beds to be commissioned onsite at UHL ahead of next winter’s surge.
• UHL is to be one of two national test sites for Acute Virtual Wards.
Measures to increase ED efficiency include:
• UHL is now providing GP and Advanced Nurse Practitioner on-the-door services for the ED, to enable ED staff to concentrate on treating urgent and emergency patients in a timelier manner.
• UHL has deployed a patient flow team in the ED 7 days per week.
Measures to increase regional capacity include:
• Extending the opening hours of Medical Assessment Units at Nenagh, Ennis and St John’s Hospitals to 24/7, on a phased basis. This follows funding of €5.2m allocated in 2023 to extend opening to 12 hours a day.
Staffing measures include:
• Safe staffing will be extended to all remaining wards in UHL, in accordance with the national rollout of this initiative. Safe staffing has been in place in the ED since September 2023, following the recruitment of 21.5 WTE additional staff nurses. Safe staffing is anticipated to be in place across all inpatient wards at UHL by the final quarter of this 2024. A further assessment for Safe Staffing was undertaken for the 2024 National Service Plan, in which UHL received over €480,000 in additional funding to implement the according staff increase, taking into account increased patient presentation numbers and increased patient acuity.
Furthermore, I have announced an expert support team to address pressures in the Midwest. This team has begun work immediately to deescalate the Emergency Department at the Hospital.
Care of the Elderly
Ceisteanna (601)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:601. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide on update on the work of the commission on care for older people; the number of meetings held since the appointment of the chairman and other members; the timeline for completion of each module, and the date at which he expects the report to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20699/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In fulfilment of the commitment in the Programme for Government, the Government has established an independent Commission on Care for Older People. In Budget 2024 €1.243 million was allocated to the Commission, which is being supported by a secretariat from my Department.
The Commission is chaired by Professor Alan Barrett (Chief Executive Officer, Economic and Social Research Institute) and is comprised of independent experts. Collectively the members of the Commission provide expertise across the areas of geriatrics, gerontology, health economics, health policy and management, primary care, health ethics, health technologies, and ageing and disability, as well as representation of the community and voluntary sector and of older people.
The Commission is charged with examining the provision of health and social care services and supports for older people and with making recommendations to the Government for their strategic development. Subsequently a cross-departmental group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the supports for positive ageing across the life course are fit-for-purpose and to develop a costed implementation plan for options to optimise these supports.
The work of the Commission will be advanced through three modules of work. The first two modules will each be of six months’ duration while the final module will be of 12 months’ duration. The modules will run consecutively.
In Module 1 the Commission is charged with determining the effectiveness, adequacy and efficiency of the care and supports which are currently provided within the health and social care system, including the plans for their further development, in meeting the evolving care needs of the increasing diversity of older people within the context of the ageing population. The Commission will prepare for my consideration and that of the Minister for Health a report detailing the Commission’s work in respect of Module 1 including any learnings for inclusion in Module 2.
In Module 2 the Commission will examine the broader policy options for older people’s care, as determined in Module 1, and will develop a costed and detailed implementation plan for the selected options. At the conclusion of Module 2, the Commission will prepare for my consideration and that of the Minister for Health a report detailing the challenges and opportunities identified, and presenting a framework for the overarching strategic development of health and social care services and supports for older people that advances national strategic objectives.
In Module 3 a Cross-Departmental Group will be established under the auspices of the Commission to consider whether the mainstreaming of ageing across Government and civil society is effective in supporting citizens’ healthy, positive, and autonomous ageing across the life course and to prepare for my consideration and that of the Minister for Health a costed and detailed implementation plan for the selected options to enable positive ageing in Irish society.
Engagement and collaboration with stakeholders will be a central component of the work of the Commission. To support the work of the Commission, a Reference Group of non-governmental and civil society organisations and other key stakeholders working in the area, including those with lived experience will be convened. It is envisaged that the Reference Group will engage in an advisory capacity with the Commission as well as with the cross-departmental group established under its auspices.
The Commission has held two meetings to date. The inaugural meeting of the Commission was convened on 21 March 2024 and the second meeting was held on 26 April 2024.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (602)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:602. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses in each CHO, in tabular form; the number of vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20700/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (603)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:603. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of public health nurses in each health centre in CHO 7, in tabular form; and the number of vacancies. [20701/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (604)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:604. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the ongoing shortage of public health nurses in Dublin mid-west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20702/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware that the PHN Service Dublin Mid-West is experiencing significant shortages and the HSE has advised that recruitment of PHNs in Dublin Mid-West has been especially challenging. The HSE has advised that the local service is working to ensure that those with the greatest need in the community are prioritised and that site-specific contingency plans continue to be refined monthly.
I fully recognise the frustration and, indeed, worry of parents who cannot access these routine checks and I want to emphasise that if parents have a specific concern or a query regarding their child, they should contact their GP, or local health office directly.
I also want to emphasise that ensuring the delivery of the full range of services provided by PHNs, is a priority for me. We are progressing several initiatives at a national level both within my Department and in the HSE to address challenges to the recruitment of healthcare professionals in general, and nurses, specifically.
As recently as last week in the Dáil, I committed to raising this issue with the HSE with a view to a rapid temporary solution being put in place and I have asked my officials to work with the HSE to see what measures can be put in place in the short term.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (605)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:605. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the salary paid to student public health nurses; to provide details of the rates paid to student nurses from comparable postgraduate courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20703/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (606)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:606. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he had engaged with the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the number of postgraduate college places in public health nursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20705/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As of 1 June 2023, the NMBI State of the Register identifies that there were 2,721 nurses registered in the Registered Public Health Nurses (PHN) division, with 2,286 of these practicing, of which there are 1,903 in patient facing roles. There were 138 new registrants in 2023, an increase of 22% from the previous year. However, the HSE staff census reports a decrease of 64 (or 4%) in the number of PHN WTE's number employed from 1,539 in December 2019 to 1,475 WTE's in March 2024 which is a matter of concern.
The HSE continues to fund registered nurses or midwives to undertake the PHN post graduate programme. Since 2019, the number of applicants for the PHN postgraduate programme has dropped from 308 to 239 currently, and despite the number of applicants continuing to surpass the number of programme places available each year, the programme places are not being filled. Therefore, without addressing wider issues, increasing postgraduate college places will not resolve the problem.
The HSE recently provided my Department with a 'Report on Recommendations to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Public Health Nurses and Community Registered General Nurses in Community Nursing Services'. This report makes findings in relation to a broad range of issues impacting on PHN recruitment and retention including a review of the current PHN sponsorship scheme and transfer panel as well as the need to redefine the community nursing model to better meet population health needs.
My Department is currently examining the report and its findings and will shortly engage with the HSE. As part of this engagement, one priority for me as Minister will be to support the development of an appropriate community nursing model that is aligned with the objectives of Sláintecare.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (607)
Robert Troy
Ceist:607. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health what State support for speech and language are available to a child with Down's Syndrome (details supplied). [20709/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (608)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:608. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the current criteria for an over-70s medical card, in particular the assessable outgoing expenses of a person (details supplied) still operating a small farm or business, where little or no profit is accrued annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20710/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Eligibility for a Medical Card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. This is the amount of money that an individual can earn a week and still qualify for a card. It is specific to the individual’s own financial circumstances.
Persons aged 69 and under are assessed under the general means tested medical card thresholds which are based on an applicant’s household income after tax and the deduction of PRSI and the Universal Social Charge. Certain expenses are also taken into account. Examples of allowable expenses include rent, mortgage, certain insurance costs, childcare, maintenance, nursing home net costs which help to increase the amount a person can earn and still qualify for a medical card. Detailed information on medical card assessment process is available at: Assessment for a medical card - HSE.ie.
Persons aged 70 or older are assessed under the over 70s medical card income thresholds which are based on gross income. In November 2020, the weekly gross medical card income thresholds for those aged 70 and over were increased to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple. This increase helps to ensure that a greater proportion of those aged 70 and over qualify for a medical card. However, it should be noted that those aged over 70 can also be assessed under the general means tested scheme where there are particularly high costs, e.g., medication, nursing home fees. Furthermore, the Deputy may be aware that, since 2015, every individual aged 70 and over has automatic eligibility for a GP visit card.
I can assure the Deputy that, in order to ensure the medical card system is responsive and sensitive to people's needs, my Department keeps medical card issues under review and any proposals are considered in the context of any potential broader implications for Government policy, the annual budgetary estimates process and legislative requirements arising.
Healthcare Infrastructure Provision
Ceisteanna (609)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:609. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to provide further details in relation to the planned elective hospitals for Blanchardstown and Crumlin; the timeline he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20719/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I updated my Government colleagues on progress in implementing the National Elective Ambulatory Strategy on Tuesday 7 May, including on the identification of suitable sites in Dublin. I informed my colleagues that sites at the current Children's Hospital in Crumlin and at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown had emerged as the preferred options for the development of 2 new elective hospitals in Dublin.
The two hospitals, when operational, will provide approximately 25 new operating theatres, 28 endoscopy suites and 30 minor operation rooms, alongside a significant number of diagnostic, treatment and consultation rooms. They will deliver additional capacity of over 620,000 procedures, treatments and diagnostics every year.
The Department of Health and HSE are working to develop and deliver these dedicated, standalone Elective Hospitals in Cork, Galway and Dublin as fast as possible to have them treating patients as soon as possible. The HSE has been developing detailed plans for the workstreams required, including workforce, digital/ICT, clinical and operational, public engagement and consultation. In late April the HSE launched Stage 2 of procurement (Request for Tender) for an Architect-led Integrated Design Team and Project Controls Team for Cork and Galway. The teams are expected to be appointed in the summer and will take forward the hospital design to pre-tender stage readiness, to progress site assessments to inform the planning process and finalise the procurement strategy. The work carried out on Cork and Galway can then be applied to the Dublin Elective Hospitals, ensuring, where possible, efficiencies in designs. Timelines for completion will evolve and be refined as the projects complete their various stages of build.
Given the scale and necessary lead-time to develop the four new Elective Hospitals, we are also addressing increasing capacity and addressing waiting lists by developing six surgical hubs at locations across the country, all of which will begin treating patients in 2024/2025.
The two hubs for Dublin (at Mount Carmel in South Dublin and Swords in North Dublin) are due to begin treating patients this year (2024) while the hubs in Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford will begin treating patients in 2025. The six hubs will deliver over 150,000 day cases, minor operations and outpatient consultations annually.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (610)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:610. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of people on a waiting list for dental and orthodontic treatment, by age, CHO and wait time, in tabular form. [20720/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (611)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:611. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of people on a waiting list for dental and orthodontic treatment at the end of February in each of the years between 2018-2023, by age, CHO and wait time, in tabular form. [20721/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (612)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:612. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health to outline the rates for each treatment under the dental treatment service scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20722/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Dental Services
Ceisteanna (613)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:613. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of dentists participating in the dental treatment service scheme, by LHO and CHO, in tabular form. [20723/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
Medical Cards
Ceisteanna (614)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:614. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health to outline, in tabular form, the benefits provided by a medical card and an enhanced medical card (as available to some persons pursuant to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20724/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Eligibility for a medical card is primarily based on a financial assessment which is conducted by the HSE in accordance with the Health Act 1970. The HSE assesses each medical card application on a qualifying financial threshold. Medical card holders are eligible for a range of services including general practitioner services, prescribed drugs and medicines, public in-patient services in public hospitals, public hospital out-patient services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services. Apart from prescribed drugs and medicines, which are subject to a prescription charge, public health services are provided free of charge to medical card holders.
Government has previously approved the provision of health services and supports (sometimes referred to as “enhanced medical card”) in certain specific circumstances, for example the Magdalene Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme and the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, which are provided to defined groups in acknowledgement of circumstances experienced while resident in relevant institutions.
There is relevant legislation in each case, for example the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 (RWRCI Act) and the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023, which make provision for a range of primary and community health services in Ireland for eligible persons who qualify under each Scheme, including general practitioner services, acute inpatient services, drugs, medicines and surgical appliances, nursing services, home help services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services, counselling, chiropody and physiotherapy services.
Hospital Appointments Status
Ceisteanna (615)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:615. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health for an update on a case (details supplied); when the person concerned can expect an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20726/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.