Emmet Stagg
Question:240. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health the number and location of 24 hour, seven days a week ambulance stations throughout the State on 1 October 2011 and 1 October 2012. [43594/12]
View answerAmbulance Service Provision
Questions (240)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Eligibility
Questions (241)
John Browne
Question:241. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Health if he will request the Health Service Executive to restore the special food requirements to persons in receipt of medical cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43600/12]
View answerWritten answers
I assume the Deputy is referring to the suspension of gluten-free products from the HSE's list of reimbursable items. In the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of reimbursable items. This includes gluten-free products.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. A Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement may be awarded by the Department of Social Protection to eligible persons. Persons wishing to apply for this allowance can do so by completing an application form which can be downloaded at the following link: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Forms/Documents/swa9.pdf. Separate application forms are available for children.
For persons who are not awarded a Diet Supplement, monies spent on gluten-free foods can be taken into account for tax purposes.
Vaccination Programme
Questions (242)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Question:242. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health if pregnant women are to be offered a whooping cough vaccine to protect babies from a surge in infections from the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43604/12]
View answerWritten answers
The immunisation programme in Ireland is implemented by the Health Service Executive through its National Immunisation Office. The immunisation schedule is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). My Department has requested the NIAC to examine this issue and provide a recommendation in this regard. The result of their deliberation is expected shortly.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Questions (243)
Gerry Adams
Question:243. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the position that Dundalk, County Louth, held on the list of 200 centres which were identified for proposed primary care centres by officials based on a scoring system based on deprivation levels, their assessment of service priorities in an area and on assessment of available accommodation; the reason Dundalk was not one of the 35 sites announced for primary care centres by him in July 2012; his reason for removing Dundalk from the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43609/12]
View answerWritten answers
The management and delivery of the health capital programme is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Dental Services Provision
Questions (244)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:244. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will restore the children's dental service at Athy Health Centre, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43616/12]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Questions (245)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:245. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the details, number and location of the list of intended locations for the provision of primary healthcare centres by direct State capital funding; the projected commencement date for works to begin at the said locations; when he expects that they will be commissioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43618/12]
View answerWritten answers
Approval has been recently received for HSE capital expenditure in 2012. The HSE will shortly publish details of the 2012-2016 Capital Plan on its website.
In relation to future developments, the HSE is required to prioritise capital infrastructure projects within its overall capital funding allocation taking into account the existing capital commitments and costs to completion over the period. Work on the draft Capital Plan for the next multi-annual period 2013-2017 will begin shortly and will be submitted to my Department in due course. My Department will then review the proposals and follow up with the HSE where further details may be required. The draft Capital Plan 2013-2017 will then require my approval with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
Food Safety Standards Regulation
Questions (246)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:246. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the review of the role and responsibilities of Safefood; when a report will issue; if he anticipates that Safefood's long standing function in relation to food safety, diet and nutrition will be re-confirmed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43619/12]
View answerWritten answers
In order to explore ways of achieving greater efficiencies, avoiding duplication and thus improving value for money, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland is reviewing the roles and responsibilities of organisations working in the food safety, diet and nutrition areas. That review is being finalised and it is hoped that it will issue to Minister Poots for consideration very shortly. My Department will await the outcome of that review before concluding its own review. While I am reluctant to pre-empt the conclusions of the reviews, I am satisfied that they will help clarify the role to be undertaken by the Food Safety Promotion Board (Safefood). I can also confirm that the Food Safety Promotion Board's statutory functions under the British-Irish Agreement Act, 1999 in relation to the provision of food safety advice (including advice on the nutritional aspects of various foods) will remain.
Respite Care Services
Questions (247)
Brian Stanley
Question:247. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the curtailment in respite services for children with an intellectual disability in County Laois, that this service has been reduced by more than 50% for residential respite and that as an alternative parents are being asked to use a share a break respite service provided by unqualified adults; and if he is satisfied that this type of service is safe for vulnerable children and adults. [43620/12]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Primary Care Centres Provision
Questions (248)
Gerry Adams
Question:248. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the list of 200 sites that were identified for proposed primary care centres in order of the priority determined by officials based on a scoring system based on deprivation levels, their assessment of service priorities in an area and an assessment of available accommodation [43621/12]
View answerWritten answers
The list of 200 locations referred to in media reports represented the situation at a given point in time. However, the prioritisation exercise is a dynamic process, constantly evolving to take account of changing circumstances, including the feasibility of implementation. There are more than two hundred locations under consideration for progression and the list of locations requires further work and objective analysis by my Department and the HSE, particularly with regard to the feasibility of implementation. Accordingly, it is not proposed to publish the list at this time.