Written Answers Nos. 264-280
264. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter in relation to the annual pension allowance declaration form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22207/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an administrative matter for the Health Service Executive, the HSE has been asked to respond directly to the Deputy.
265. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the reason a service (details supplied) that was suspended during the Covid lockdown has not recommenced; if there is a timeline for reopening the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22239/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
266. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the health service of providing medical cards, including GP visit cards, to international protection applicants from 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22258/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
267. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to continue the pathfinder programme in Tallaght and other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22259/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPathfinder involves the National Ambulance Service and health and social care professionals working together to respond and treat people in the comfort of their home. The service enables staff to treat and assess the patient as well as provide the appropriate supports and follow up care to the patient, so that the patient does not need to be transported to a busy Emergency Department to receive care when there is no clinical need. On the matter of funding for the delivery of the Pathfinder programme in Tallaght, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
268. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when the existing DEXA scanner at Portiuncula University Hospital will be replaced; the number of patients who have had their appointment transferred to another hospital; the interim measures in place and the expected timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22260/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
269. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when the vacancy for a community nursing position for psychiatry of later life, based at St. Brendan's CNU, Ballinasloe, will be filled; if the post has been advertised; the period of time this position is vacant; the number of patients on the caseload of the previous nurse prior to the post being vacated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22261/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
270. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the plans to either relocate or refurbish the existing ambulance station in Roscommon town; if he is aware of the poor structural condition of the existing station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22262/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
271. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the length of time the ophthalmologist post is vacant in south Tipperary primary care services; the actions that have been taken to address this vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22270/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
272. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason no alternative arrangements have been made for the 1,500 or so children waiting on the ophthalmology service, some of whom have been waiting for some time now; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22271/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
273. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether it is intended to approve a drug (details supplied) for reimbursement by the HSE, given the value of this drug in treating a rare disease is recognised; the stage in the process the consideration of this drug is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22277/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
274. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if there is a CNS in dementia in each acute hospital in Ireland; and if he will outline the situation in each hospital, in tabular form. [22282/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
275. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) will have to wait for more than two years to get broken dentures replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22284/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card might be provided in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22304/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a social worker might be appointed to address the needs of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22309/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
278. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1695 of 9 April 2024, to report on the progress made with respect to outstanding backdated payments under the section 39 WRC pay agreement; when he expects that any payments still outstanding will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22246/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are continuing to engage with colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform regarding the application of this pay award to workers in section 39 bodies who are delivering training funded by the Education and Training Boards.
279. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will prioritise an application by a school (details supplied) under the local enhancement programme 2024; when the funding will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22273/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast December, the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) was launched, with capital funding of €6 million to assist community groups across the country. The LEP is targeted to the specific challenges facing local community groups and delivers immediate, tangible supports where they are needed most.
The Programme also included a special ring-fenced fund of €1,000,000 to support Women’s Groups, in recognition of the growing numbers of Women’s Sheds, Groups and networks around the country.
There was a particular focus on small capital works/improvements, and the purchase of equipment for community use. The funding may be used, but is not limited to; improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.
The Local Enhancement Programme is administered on behalf of my Department locally by Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) across the country, with support from their Local Authority. The relevant LCDC receive and appraise applications, making determinations on how the funding can best support their communities.
The Local Enhancement Programme is now closed to applicants and Department officials are currently assessing details of the successful applicants. Details of successful projects will be published on the Department’s website, www.gov.ie/drcd, in the coming weeks.
280. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will introduce specific funding provision in her Department's Estimates for the local improvement scheme in view of the long delays in having such roads brought up to a proper standard for local residents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22080/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, my government is committed to ensuring that LIS is funded into the future.
Since the re-introduction of the Scheme in 2017, my department has allocated almost €170 million to local authorities under the scheme. Up to the end of 2023, this has upgraded over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes, benefitting nearly 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
While my Department provides funding for the scheme, it is administered by local authorities. They are responsible for the selection and prioritisation of roads and to decide whether or not to open the scheme to new applicants or to focus on existing lists. Despite progress made under the scheme in recent years, a backlog of roads awaiting repair remains.
In an effort to address the backlog of roads awaiting repair, I have ensured that the base funding for the scheme has increased year on year, and recently announced €40 million in funding to cover work under the scheme across 2024 and 2025.
Local authorities have until November to complete works and draw down their 2024 funding. They can then submit their 2025 priority lists in January 2025 to ensure that as much time as possible is allowed for the completion of works. This will allow local authorities to plan more effectively for work to be carried out in the medium term, thus facilitating better delivery on the ground.
My priority is to address the backlog as quickly as possible, as I understand the importance of the scheme for rural residents.
Finally, I am continuing to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, regarding his Department's potential contribution to a jointly funded Local Improvement Scheme.
