Written Answers Nos. 627-648
627. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for Health Service Executive grant funding for a group (details supplied) in Dublin 11; when a decision will be made in relation to the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49749/12]
View answerI referred this matter to the Health Service Executive for direct reply
628. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a hearing device will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49750/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
629. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry [49751/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
630. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the systems in place to provide supervised injection sites to ensure the adequate disposal of needles used to inject heroin in view of the fact that such a service would provide an access point to clean needles, reduce the overall harm to the user and treatment professionals and encourage users to undertake treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49759/12]
View answerIn line with the Programme for Government and Action 34 of the National Drugs Strategy 2009-16, it is Government policy to expand the availability of needle exchange services. These services provide sterilised needles, syringes and associated injecting paraphernalia. They also reduce the dangers posed by discarded needles through the strong emphasis on the exchange of used supplies for new. As well as the direct benefits of needle exchange services, they also bring injecting drug users into contact with health professionals thereby facilitating opportunities to avail of further treatment options.
Needle exchange services are broadly available in the Dublin area through the HSE and voluntary sector organisations. In the past year there has been significant improvement in the availability of needle exchange services outside Dublin through community pharmacies, HSE clinics and voluntary sector organisations. Currently 44 pharmacies are participating in the programme and this number will be increased substantially in the coming year.
It is not my intention to introduce supervised injection sites for heroin users. Rather my focus is on increasing needle exchange provision and also on increasing the emphasis on providing opportunities for people to move on from illicit drug use, through drug treatment and rehabilitation, to a drug-free life where that is achievable.
631. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the Health Service Executive to have a special rate for visitors who use the carpark at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, on a frequent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49763/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
632. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the amount the Health Service Executive paid for taxi services in County Donegal since the patient bus service between Letterkenny and Dublin has been abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49768/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
633. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his current plans to tackle issues surrounding the availability of cheap alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49784/12]
View answer634. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce regulations prohibiting price based advertising of alcohol products. [49785/12]
View answer635. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his plans in relation to introducing minimum pricing of alcohol. [49786/12]
View answer660. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health his strategy for tackling the issue of alcohol misuse here. [50081/12]
View answer661. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if there is a specific strategy to tackle the impact alcohol addiction has on the children of addicts. [50082/12]
View answer662. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if there is a specific strategy to tackle the links between alcohol abuse and mental health problems. [50083/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 633 to 635, inclusive, and 660 to 662, inclusive, together.
In its report on alcohol, the National Substance Misuse Strategy Steering Group recommended - among other things - the development of joint protocols between mental health services and drug and alcohol services; the provision of supports and services to children affected by alcohol; the introduction of a legislative basis for minimum pricing per gram of alcohol along with the development of regulations and an enforcement mechanism with respect to Section 16 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008. The latter refers to prohibiting or restricting a person from advertising or promoting the sale of alcohol at a reduced price and free of charge; the powers in relation to this are vested in the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence.
My Department is working on the development of a policy on minimum unit pricing of alcohol. As minimum unit pricing is a mechanism of imposing a statutory floor in price levels for alcohol products that must be legally observed by retailers, its primary function would be thus to discourage at risk levels of alcohol consumption. This recommendation - along with the others - are being actively considered as part of the development of concrete proposals on the basis of the National Substance Misuse Strategy report; and it is hoped to submit these to the Government for consideration and adoption as soon as possible.
636. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health if protocols will be put in place to ensure patients in the northwest can avail of CT scans in Sligo Regional Hospital, while attending an outpatient clinic of a consultant in another hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49789/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
637. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the expert group on abortion; when a report is expected from the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49793/12]
View answerI presume the Deputy is referring to the report of the Expert Group on the judgment in A, B and C v Ireland. The Group is making good progress towards finalising its report. I expect the report will be completed and submitted to me shortly, and I will consider the report and subsequently submit it to Government.
638. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that all carers and personal assistants are obliged to obtain FETAC level five qualification before January 2013 if they are to continue in their work; if they are expected to undertake this training on their own time and at their own expense; if the new requirements will apply to new entrants only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49794/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
639. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding home help in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49797/12]
View answerAs 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.
640. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No.760 of 19 July 2012, if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49814/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
641. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early appointment will be arranged at Waterford Regional Hospital for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny and if he will expedite the matter. [49816/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
642. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the justification for paying a €10,000 appointment fee to legal persons who serve on the Hepatitis C / HIV Compensation Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49817/12]
View answerUnder Section 3 of the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Act l997, the Minister for Health appoints the members of the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal. The term of office of each of the fourteen members and the Chairperson of the Tribunal "shall be for a period as is specified by the Minister when appointing such member".
Ministerial appointments are made on the advice of the Attorney General. The briefing fee, payable on a once-off basis when new members take up their respective appointments, is €10,000. This was reduced from €17,526 in June, 2012. The remuneration for members is approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Tribunal carries out judicial type functions and is therefore very different to a typical State Board. It hears claims in relation to persons infected with Hepatitis C or HIV through the administration within the State of infected blood or blood products. Claims are dealt with by the Tribunal by way of an in camera oral hearing before two members of the Tribunal and the Chairperson. The Tribunal was set up in order that claimants could have their cases heard in a confidential, person centred, fashion. The brief fee reflects the considerable work that each new member must undertake to familiarise themselves with the Tribunal process, the outcome of previous Tribunal hearings and precedents set to ensure a level of consistency among claims heard.
643. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the qualifying criteria a person (details supplied) in County Kerry failed to meet in order to be registered as blind when applying for the blind welfare allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49872/12]
View answerAs 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.
644. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will review the decision to have home help assistance removed from a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he does not intend to do so, if he will ask for an assessment of the persons needs to be carried out to determine the assistance they need. [49922/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
645. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health his views on a submission (details supplied) regarding dental care; the action he will take to address the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49930/12]
View answerThe Public Dental Service of the HSE provides services to schoolchildren aged up to 16 years and special care dentistry. In order to ensure greater benefits to the community it may be necessary to consolidate dental services into clinics where the highest standards can be achieved and where manpower resources can be maximised. Dental services for medical card holders are provided through the Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS). The HSE is working to ensure that patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs are prioritised for treatment. In addition, free emergency dental treatment and a free oral examination every 12 months are available to all eligible patients.
The Health Service Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy regarding the provision of dental services in Athy.
646. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare was granted a full medical card and their partner and two children were only granted a general practitioner visit card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49957/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
647. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49981/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
648. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a hearing aid will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50005/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
