Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): I propose to take
Questions Nos. 644 to 657, inclusive, together.
Due to the volume of information requested by the Deputy, I have arranged for the details
to be forwarded directly to her.
Medical Cards
658. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card
application for their child in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he
will make a statement on the matter. [7714/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): As this is a service
matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Assisted Human Reproduction
659. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Health the date on which his Department
will present policy proposals to him on assisted human reproduction; and if he will make
a statement on the matter. [7716/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): My Department is examining policy proposals
in the area of Assisted Human Reproduction and related practices in Ireland. I will be examining
the proposals with a view to submitting them to Government later this year.
Health Service Staff
660. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the measures being put in place
to ensure there are sufficient front-line health staff at a time when so many are retiring from
the public health service. [7723/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): The impact of staff reductions, and particularly
those occurring before the end of the present “Grace Period”, together with reduced financial
resources, represents a significant challenge for the health system in delivering services. The
HSE’s National Service Plan 2012, which I recently approved, sets out what actions will be
taken to address these challenges. The HSE is seeking to mitigate the impact of the retirements
on frontline services by:
• Using the provisions of the Public Service Agreement to bring about greater flexibilities
in work practices and rosters, redeployment and other changes to achieve more
efficient delivery of services;
• Delivering greater productivity through the National Clinical Programmes to reduce
average length of stay, improve day of admission surgery rates and increase the
number of patients treated as day cases;
• Some limited and targeted recruitment in priority areas to help limit the impact of
retirements on frontline services.
To implement the National Service Plan, the HSE is finalising regional business plans, supported
by detailed local planning, which will take account of the effect of the reduction in
both staff numbers and budgets, as well as addressing the service areas identified for priority
development under the National Service Plan. Briefings with staff, unions, public representatives
and other stakeholders have already commenced and will continue over the coming weeks.
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