Written answers

Tuesday, 5 February 2008

Department of Health and Children

Health Services

9:00 pm

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when intervention services will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [3281/08]

Photo of Jimmy DevinsJimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Photo of Phil HoganPhil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the senior physiotherapist service will be reinstated at a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3300/08]

Photo of Jimmy DevinsJimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of patients currently recorded as receiving treatment for cystic fibrosis here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3318/08]

Photo of Mary UptonMary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of dedicated cystic fibrosis beds that exist in the public health system here: if she has satisfied herself that there are sufficient beds to meet the needs of patients with cystic fibrosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3320/08]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 269 together.

There are approximately 1,100 people with cystic fibrosis living in the Republic of Ireland. Approximately 45% are adults and 55% are children. The Minister identified the enhancement of services to persons with cystic fibrosis as a key priority. Development funding of €4.78m was provided in 2006 and a further €2m was provided to the Health Service Executive (HSE) to facilitate the recruitment of additional medical, nursing and allied health professional staff to improve services. According to the most recent report from the HSE 44 additional staff have been appointed and funding is available to facilitate the recruitment of 37 additional staff across a range of disciplines. Provision has been included in the HSE Capital Plan 2008- 2013 for a new ward block to provide 120 replacement beds in single en-suite accommodation in St Vincent's University Hospital.

It is intended that the proposed 120 bed development will include dedicated facilities for patients with cystic fibrosis. These facilities will include single room accommodation with en-suite bathrooms, together with appropriate isolation facilities. In addition, the Project Team, which is overseeing the scheme, is giving consideration to the need for separate access routes to the unit.

The HSE advises that contract notices for Design Build Contractors and for Project Managers are to be published by the end of February 2008. The design brief is to be completed by the end of March 2008. The Design Build contract for the project is to be awarded by the end of 2008. The design build period is to be not more than 24 months from the date of contract award — this will be a condition of the contract.

In order to alleviate the more immediate service difficulties for cystic fibrosis patients, the HSE is working intensively with the hospital with a view to identifying and progressing additional improvements. The St. Mark's ward project is an interim solution and will provide additional capacity pending the completion of the 120-bed extension. This area is adjacent to the existing main treatment area for cystic fibrosis patients (St. Paul's Ward). The project is to commence within the next few weeks and will provide six single rooms. On completion, additional work will begin to provide a further eight single rooms. This will result in a total of fourteen single rooms for cystic fibrosis patients by the end of the summer.

My Department has asked the HSE to reply directly on any additional operational issues raised in the Deputy's questions.

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