Vol. 561 No. 1
379 Mr. Healy asked the Minister for Health and Children if funding will be made available to the South-Eastern Health Board to enable the board to commence treatment with a drug (details supplied) for a person (details supplied) in County Waterford suffering from fabry's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3539/03]
The provision of services for people living in County Waterford is a matter, in the first instance, for the South-Eastern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to examine this matter and to write directly to the Deputy.
380 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason an application for domiciliary allowance in the name of persons (details supplied) in County Carlow was refused in view of the medical condition of their child and the fact that the allowance has been granted to others with the same medical conditions in other health board areas; and if he will make a statement on the entitlements of people who have Pierre Rubin Sequence. [3548/03]
Domiciliary care allowance, DCA, is a monthly allowance administered by health boards and may be paid in respect of eligible children from birth to the age of 16 who have a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention which is substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age. The condition must be likely to last for at least one year. Eligibility is determined primarily by reference to the degree of additional care and attention required by the child rather than to the type of disability involved, subject to a means test. While no condition is debarred, conditions such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy are not normally considered unless there is a very high degree of additional care and attention required. It is a matter for the senior area medical officer or other designated medical officer in the relevant community care area to decide whether or not a child qualifies for DCA on medical grounds. The assessment of and entitlement to the domiciliary care allowance in any individual case is a matter for the relevant health board. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer, South-Eastern Health Board, to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.
With regard to the entitlements of people who have Pierre Rubin Sequence, my Department is forwarding a copy of the Comhairle booklet "Entitlements for People with Disabilities" for your information.
381 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 514 of 5 November 2002, the reason an appointment was not arranged as promised by the SEHB for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; if arrangements to have a cataract removed will now be made without delay in view of this person's medical circumstances; and if he will make a statement outlining the reason for the delay. [3549/03]
The provision of services for people living in County Kilkenny is a matter, in the first instance, for the South-Eastern Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply directly to him.
382 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the old telephone box used by patients at Lismore House, Sion Road, Kilkenny, has not been upgraded; and if the service will be restored without delay. [3550/03]
Responsibility for the provision of the services referred to by the Deputy rests with the South-Eastern Health Board. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.
383 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if the SEHB has refused to pay for treatment at an alcohol treatment centre for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the reasons this person is not being readmitted for treatment to St. Canice's Hospital; the reason they were discharged from hospital without care in the community; if the SEHB's attention has been drawn to the fact that this person is now sleeping rough and is being taken in to Garda custody on a regular basis; the action he intends to take to rectify the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3551/03]
Responsibility for the provision of the services referred to by the Deputy rests with the South-Eastern Health Board. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.
