Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the progress made by the Health Service Executive in filling the senior audiological scientist position in Galway, which has remained vacant since 2002; the number of children who are on the waiting list for audiological services in Galway; the average waiting time for these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20890/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 493: To ask the Minister for Health if an extensive plan of home help or a full home care package will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if the matter will be expedited. [20899/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 494: To ask the Minister for Health if he will investigate the failings of the Health Service Executive's recent centralisation of the medical and GP card processing at the Primary Care Reimbursement Service in Finglas, Dublin 11 which is currently short 60 of its full complement of 150 staff and as a result may now have to avail of the services of an external company to provide customer support services; and his views on the intention to hand over responsibility for adding babies to medical and GP cards to doctors secretaries. [20327/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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The Health Service Executive has centralised the processing of all new applications and renewals of medical cards at the Primary Care Reimbursement Service (PCRS) in Finglas, Dublin with effect from 1st July 2011. The Executive has stated that there is no backlog of work in the central office and all complete medical card applications and reviews are being processed within 15 working days or less.

At the moment, PCRS has 245 whole time equivalent staff. About 90 staff have moved to the PCRS to implement the final phase of centralisation and the HSE is seeking redeployment, under the terms of the Public Service Agreement, to increase this number to 150. I have raised this issue directly with the PCRS and I expressed my dissatisfaction that the full complement of HSE staff was not in place on 1st July. I am advised that they hope to have the full complement of staff in place within the next 6-8 weeks. A temporary contingency plan is in place to cover this transitional period to ensure that services are not adversely affected during this time.

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of the medical card register. However, given their local knowledge, GPs can assist in maintaining the accuracy of the register and the HSE has worked closely with GPs in this regard. As part of an enhanced online facility to improve customer services, an option has now been provided to GPs to update their panel listings, which includes the inclusion of babies on their panel, through the PCRS Online Application Suite. Over 75% of GPs currently use this service. On foot of such changes to the register, the HSE will then contact the family involved directly to confirm the baby's details and to ensure that full registration takes place as quickly as possible. his new process aims to ensure that babies receive their entitlements in a timely and efficient manner.

Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the development of the primary health centre in Inchicore, Dublin 8, and its completion date; and if he will make a statement on the proposed catchment area and scope of operation for the centre. [20945/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Michael Conaghan (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 496: To ask the Minister for Health the number of inspections, in tabular form, that have been undertaken under the national tobacco control inspection programme in 2009 and 2010 to ascertain compliance with smoke-free workplace legislation, sales to minors legislation and prohibitions on display and advertising at the point of sale; the number of compliant inspections, the number of cases brought and the number of convictions as a result of these cases, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20946/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Health Service Executive is responsible for enforcement of the tobacco legislation, including inspections and prosecutions taken as a result of non-compliance with the legislation. Accordingly, I have referred the matter to the HSE for direct reply.

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 497: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a proposal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for a health facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20953/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I note the proposal to develop a residential respite centre for children with life-limiting rare disorders in County Kerry. I have asked the Health Service Executive to provide me with their views on the proposal and I will reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 498: To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will get an orthodontic appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20956/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive. I understand that the HSE has responded directly to the Deputy on this matter.