Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers
712. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a monthly breakdown
of the number of health service staff in County Louth due to retire between September
2011 and end of April 2012; if he will provide a breakdown by grade and location; the posts
that will be prioritised for replacement if he will and give a monthly breakdown of when these
positions will be filled. [8161/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): As this is a service matter, it has been referred
to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Nursing Homes Support Scheme
713. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application
for fair deal nursing in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will
make a statement on the matter. [8164/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kathleen Lynch): As this is a service
matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Health Service Staff
714. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will consider employing
extra staff in the Midleton and District Day Care centre in County Cork (details supplied); and
if he will make a statement on the matter. [8166/12]
Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Kathleen Lynch): As this is a service
matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Hospital Acquired Infections
715. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the frequency and location of
MRSA infections in hospitals reported for each year for the past five years to date in 2012; the
steps that have been taken to reduce the occurrence of the virus; if a reduction has been
achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8189/12]
716. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the frequency and location of
norovirus infections in hospitals reported for each year for the past five years to date in 2012;
the steps that have been taken to reduce the occurrence of the virus; if a reduction has been
achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8190/12]
Minister for Health (Deputy James Reilly): I propose to take Questions Nos. 715 and 716
together.
A table showing the data on Staphylococcus aureus/MRS bloodstream infection from acute
hospitals (public and private) for the past five years follows. The information is taken from a
report by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) which is available on their website.
The Table shows that there has been a decrease of 43% in the number of MRS cases reported
between 2007 and 2010.
The control of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) continues to be a policy priority
for my Department and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and a number of initiatives have
been taken in the last few years aimed at reducing the incidence of HCAIs. National Infection
Control Action Plan was launched by the HSE in 2007, aimed at reducing HCAIs by 20%,
MRS infection by 30% and antibiotic consumption by 20%. National Standards for the Prevention
and Control of HCAIs were published by HIQA in May 2009 and the process of implemen-
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