Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
Health Service Staff
667. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the
employment panel for physiotherapists in Ireland; if any recently graduated physiotherapists
have been accommodated with employment in the health service; and if he will make a statement
on the matter. [7839/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): In 2008, the HSE ran a recruitment campaign
for physiotherapists which provided the health service with a significant number of candidates
suitable for appointment. To date, 250 physiotherapists have been appointed from this panel
and over 200 remain available for appointment. While the current panel would meet the forseeable
recruitment needs for staff grade physiotherapists, the Executive is considering the possibility
of running a new recruitment campaign at an appropriate time.
Departmental Funding
668. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health if an organisation (details
supplied) is eligible for any funding from his Department; and if he will make a statement on
the matter. [7857/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): As this is a service matter it has been referred
to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Waiting Lists
669. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in
County Kildare will receive an appointment for a medical procedure; and if he will make a
statement on the matter. [7872/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): 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 daycase 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.
Medical Cards
670. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm if haemochromatosis
is covered under the medical card schemes for medical card holders; if not, the
plans he has to include it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7878/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Róisín Shortall): Eligibility for health
services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. There are currently two categories
of eligibility for all persons ordinarily resident in Ireland i.e. full eligibility (medical card)
and limited eligibility (all others). Full eligibility is determined mainly by reference to income
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