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[Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl.] Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers ment scheme will impact adversely on the services that the hospital provides; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7948/12] Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): The most recent information available from the HSE (as of 8 February 2012) indicates that, over the first two months of 2012, some 2,300 staff will have retired from the health service, with 1,920 of these expected to leave during February. These numbers are liable to change as data is refined, additional applications are processed and the possibility that existing applications may be withdrawn. As such it is not possible to furnish the Deputies with exact numbers of staff retiring or subsequent re-employment in advance of 29th February and I have referred your query to the HSE for direct reply once the information becomes available. Planning for the delivery of health services is undertaken within the context of the annual National Service Planning process. This process ensures that all factors, including budgets and staffing levels and any other emerging issues, including the impact of the retirements are factored into the plan for what services will be delivered within the coming year. To meet these challenges and to implement the National Service Plan, the HSE is finalising detailed regional plans 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 plan.Briefings with staff, unions, public representatives and other stakeholders have already commenced and will continue over the coming weeks. Detailed planning for retirements in the period to the end of February 2012 commenced in October last and has also been intensified at local service level as the numbers and locations of those leaving have become clearer.The focus of these plans is on maintaining essential front line services such as emergency departments, intensive care and maternity services. The plans reflect the fact that the number of staff leaving varies from region to region and from service to service. I intend to review the Service Plan in March when the full picture in relation to the current retirements will be clear. The HSE is continuing to utilize the provisions of the Public Service Agreement 2010 to 2014 (the “Croke Park Agreement”) as it seeks to change staff rosters, work practices and to redeploy staff.This will assist in minimising the service impact. Contingency plans to address the impact of the retirements also focus on staff redeployment, streamlining, delivering Greater Productivity through the National Clinical Programmes and the related work of the Special Delivery Unit. There are a number of additional allocations set out in the HSE’s National Service plan that will assist in minimising the impact of the retirements on services, to include the following. Focused Recruitment for critical posts vacated will be undertaken (within the context of the cost containment plans and budgets for each service). Agency staff may be used where there is a critical requirement. Any reliance on agency staff will be in the context of the HSE’s objective to reduce overall agency costs by 50% in 2012. The National Service plan in 2012 also makes provision for some conversion of agency costs into whole time equivalent staff which will be explored in limited circumstances where local budgets allow. Medical Cards 691. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the reason there is a delay in processing medical card application (details supplied); and the steps that are being taken to reduce the waiting times [7954/12] 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. Consultancy Contracts 692. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the total amount of money 636
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers expended by the Health Service Executive on external legal advisers each year for the past five years [7978/12] Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): I have referred this matter to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. Question No. 693 answered with Question No. 671. Health Services 694. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the number of cardiac procedures that were carried out at Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, in the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. [7988/12] Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Health Policy 695. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that approximately 400 people die in Ireland each year from the outcome of ruptured Aorta Aneurysms, and in view of the fact that this condition, which meets all of the criteria set down by the World Health Organisation for screening programmes which can be diagnosed at very low cost, if he will now consider introducing a pilot scheme for the screening for this condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7992/12] Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): In June 2010 “Changing Cardiovascular Health: Cardiovascular Health Policy 2010-2019” was launched. This policy establishes a framework for the prevention, detection and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, which seeks to ensure an integrated and quality assured approach in their management, so as to reduce the burden of these conditions; and while decisions concerning recommendations for screening and surgical repair of aortic aneurysm were not considered, the report did add that it should be considered further as part of general policy requirements for health screening. The Department will establish a working group to examine the possibility of introducing a pilot scheme. Medical Cards 696. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will advise the reason for the delay in dealing with an application for a change of doctor under the medical card scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7996/12] 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. 697. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will advise the reason correspondence sent to the primary care reimbursement service by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in September 2011 in respect of their medical card application has been requested again by that Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7997/12] 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. Health Services 698. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details 637
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Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

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