Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a hip replacement in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1685/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies - mainly the HSE and the NTPF.

As a priority, public hospitals were instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they had no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. I can confirm that the vast majority of hospitals achieved this objective. During 2012 the SDU will support hospitals in the delivery of a 9 month maximum wait time for inpatient or day-case surgery

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and facility involved.

Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Health if he will address the situation in County Kerry whereby victims of sexual assault and rape have to face the long journey of travelling to Cork, by making the necessary funding available as a matter of urgency for the provision of a dedicated sexual assault treatment unit at Kerry General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1692/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The sexual assault treatment unit (SATU) for the Cork & Kerry region is located in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital Cork. The provision of the service at a regional level was based on the sustainability of the service provision and ensuring that the skills, experience and training required by the clinical staff should be at a level which would be appropriate from a legal perspective when and if such cases come before the courts. A national review of the Sexual Assault Treatment Services undertaken in 2006 (O'Shea Report) indicated that the unit available for the Cork/Kerry area was seen as sufficient to meet the needs of the region.

I have been advised by the HSE South that a revenue provision of €100K funding for sexual assault treatment services in Kerry was provided and they have confirmed that this funding is incorporated into the Emergency Department's budget at Kerry General Hospital where victims of such violence will frequently present. The Emergency Department at Kerry General Hospital, provided on a 24/7 basis at the hospital, is often the first point of contact for such victims and where appropriate clinical care can be provided when necessary.

Management of Kerry General Hospital have had a number of engagements with the Kerry Rape Crisis Centre with regards to the services and this communication will continue to ensure best practice is followed within the available resources.

In the context of the current financial climate, the HSE is focused on maintaining the current level and responsiveness of these critical services.