Written Answers Nos. 972-994
972. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if Multiple Sclerosis, Ulcerative Colitis and Chrohn's Disease are on the list of diseases that qualify the sufferer for a medical card; and if not, the reason these diseases do not qualify; when the list of qualifying diseases was last reviewed and his plans to review it again. [58011/12]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970, eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. There are currently two categories of eligibility for all persons ordinarily resident in Ireland i.e. full eligibility (medical card) and limited eligibility (all others). Full eligibility is determined mainly by reference to income limits, and is granted to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable to provide general practitioner, medical and surgical services to themselves and their dependents without undue hardship. There is no automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons with any specific illness.
There is a provision for discretion to grant a card in cases of "undue hardship" where the income guidelines are exceeded.The HSE recently set up a clinical panel to assist in the processing of applications for discretionary medical cards where there are difficult personal circumstances.
There is an emergency process for a person who is terminally ill, or in urgent need of medical attention and cannot afford to pay for it, that provides a card within 24 hours while the normal application process is completed. Once a letter from the patient's GP or consultant is received, stating that the person is terminally ill, and the required personal details are provided an emergency card is issued to that person for a six-month period.
973. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the Health Service Executive have indemnified suppliers of replacement hips (details supplied) [58012/12]
View answerMy Department has not indemnified suppliers of replacement hips. As this is a service issue your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
974. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will review the provision of home care assistance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork to ensure it is adequate for their needs. [58013/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
975. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the courses currently in place to assist public health nurses who have not been nursing for five years or more to return to nursing; when it is planned to run such courses in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58018/12]
View answerI have forwarded your query to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
976. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied) who is not included in the redress board and was a victim of Dr. Micheal Neary [58031/12]
View answerI understand that the person referred to by the Deputy is one of the women excluded from the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme on age grounds.
This Government has given a commitment in the Programme for Government to seek a mechanism to compensate those women who were excluded on age grounds alone from the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme. I understand that approximately 35 women who suffered an unnecessary bilateral oophorectomy were excluded from the Redress Scheme on the basis of age alone. The Scheme of Redress approved by Government in 2007 was a non-statutory, ex-gratia scheme. Awards were determined by an independent Redress Board in 2007 and 2008.
My Department has been engaged in a review to identify the most appropriate mechanism to compensate these women. This review has included taking instructions and legal advice, including advice from the Office of the Attorney General, with a view to bringing proposals to Government for a decision. This process is ongoing, and it is my intention that it will be brought to a satisfactory, legally sound conclusion as quickly as possible.
977. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58046/12]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
978. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned by the numbers presenting at constituency offices whose medical cards have been replaced by general practitioner cards who have not been taking their medications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58053/12]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970, medical cards are provided to persons who, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive, are unable without undue hardship to arrange general practitioner medical and surgical services for themselves and their dependants. The assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means of the applicant and his/her dependants. Where an applicant fails to qualify for a medical card, either as a first time applicant or under review, they are then considered for a GP visit card. Income limits for GP visit cards are 50% higher than those applying to medical cards.
Approximately 1.85 million people are covered by a medical card, an increase of almost 25% since the end of 2009. The cost of the General Medical Services scheme is estimated to have been approximately €1.9 billion in 2012.
Under the Drugs Payment Scheme no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme is easy to use and significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
979. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if asylum seekers who leave the direct provision system will have their medical cards revoked, even if they have existing medical conditions; if so, the reason for this in view of the fact that their incomes will still be below the medical card threshold in view of the fact that they are excluded from employment and the social welfare system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58054/12]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive for a report on the issue raised by the Deputy. I will revert to the Deputy on the matter as soon as possible.
980. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 246 of the 12 December 2012, if he will provide a breakdown a month by month breakdown of the number of home care package hours and the number of home help hours supplied to persons in County Louth in each month since January 2009 [58066/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
981. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the funds spent by his Department in tackling the issue of homelessness in County Louth in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and the amount that has been allocated for such services in 2013 [58081/12]
View answerThe Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and local authorities have statutory responsibility for the provision of homelessness services in Ireland in line with the National Homeless Strategy, 'The Way Home 2008-2013' and 'Pathway to Home'.
Local authorities identify and address the level of need through a range of community based accommodation options and related housing supports, and the HSE and its partner agencies arrange health and personal social care supports appropriate to the individual service user's needs within this structure.
The allocation of the HSE's homeless budget comes within the remit of the HSE and is allocated based on identified needs in line with the overall financial constraints that the HSE operates within.
In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
982. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of funds spent by his Department in tackling the issue of domestic violence in County Louth in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012; and the amount of funding that will be provided for such services in 2013 [58083/12]
View answerIn 2010 the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was published. It aims to provide a framework for sustainable intervention to prevent and effectively respond to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and is led by Cosc which is the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.
The HSE subsequently published its own Policy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The principal actions are in line with the National Strategy. The HSE’s policy states that a health-focused analysis of violence is crucial, not only because the consequences of such violence require a significant amount of healthcare system resources, but most importantly because the health care system is often the first route through which victims seek to access supports.
Nationally the HSE funds 42 frontline domestic violence service providers. 20 of these provide refuge accommodation and this number has risen from 15 since 2000. The services provide a wide range of supports such as crisis refuge, advocacy and counselling and were funded to the amount of €13.465 Million in 2012.
In relation to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
983. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Health in understanding the importance of tackling diabetes foot disease in the community and in keeping persons with this health complication out of hospital and healthy and mobile, if he will consider filling the podiatry post at St Luke's Hospital Kilkenny, which was initially sanctioned in April 2012, and was planned as part of the national footcare programme to tackle the increase in diabetes related foot ulcers and amputations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58094/12]
View answerThe HSE National Clinical Programme for Diabetes - which includes the care of children and adolescents with diabetes - was established within the Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate. The purpose of the Programme is to define the way diabetic Clinical Services should be delivered, resourced and measured; and a clinician has been appointed to lead on the development of the programme. One of the objectives of the National Diabetes Programme is to develop a footcare screening and treatment service to prevent foot ulceration and subsequent lower limb amputation.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, , I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
984. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an application for the fair deal scheme will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58106/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
985. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if a home care package will be reinstated in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58108/12]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
986. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the current number of assistant national directors employed within the Health Service Executive [58111/12]
View answerThe employment of Assistant National Directors is a matter for the Health Service Executive, and as such, the Deputy's enquiry has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
987. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health in consideration of his proposal to reduce the Health Service Executive staff by 3,000, the way he proposes to ensure that the present level of front line staff within the HSE across the range of services are kept at their present numbers [58112/12]
View answerThis is a very challenging target given the level of staff reductions that have been achieved in recent years.
In order to mitigate the impact on frontline services of the reduction in employment numbers, the priority is to reform how health services are delivered in order to ensure a more productive and cost effective health system. Therefore, the HSE is using the provisions of the Public Service Agreement to bring about greater flexibilities in work practices and rosters, redeployment and other changes to achieve more efficient delivery of services.
Staff reductions will be pursued throughout 2013 through natural turnover (retirements and resignations) and such other targeted measures or initiatives as may be determined by Government in relation to the health sector or the wider public service.
The HSE National Service Plan provides for investment of an additional 1,025 WTEs in a number of key prioritised areas, as well as the completion of the 2012 mental health investment programme (400+) posts. Also, a graduate nurse employment programme will be implemented, involving the recruitment of up to 1,000 nurses on two-year contracts. This will provide additional nursing capacity at service level.
988. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the current number of what is often referred to as back office staff, staff other than front line staff employed within the Health Service Executive within the various grades across the service nationally [58113/12]
View answerAs of November 2012, there were 15,721 management and administrative staff, equating to 15.5% of staff, employed in the HSE and bodies funded to provide services on its behalf.
The HSE has previously estimated that approximately two-thirds of staff classified as Management /Administration directly support service provision. This includes Medical and Consultant's Secretaries, Out-Patient Department Personnel, Ward Clerks, Medical Records Personnel and Telephonists.
The detailed information sought by the Deputy is a matter for the HSE and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
989. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health with the promised restoration of the pre-September 2012 level of funding for home help hours, if he will instruct the Health Service Executive to arrange an assessment/re-assessment of the home help hours provision for all those whose hours were cut in the last quarter of 2012 with a mind to restoring the withdrawn hours to the greatest number possible, commensurate with freshly assessed need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58120/12]
View answerThe commitment of the Government, as announced following the recent Budget 2013, to restore core community services of home help, home care packages and personal assistant hours is being progressed in the context of finalising the HSE Service Plan 2013.
In line with its normal procedures for the allocation or review of Home Support services at individual level, the Executive will review as appropriate the cases raised by the Deputy to ensure that services are provided on a prioritised basis in line with assessed need.
990. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to include haemochromatosis on the list of eligible conditions covered by the long term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58121/12]
View answer1035. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health if the illness congentialadrenalhyplasia will be added to the long term illness scheme; and if persons who suffer from this illness will be able to avail of a medical card or long term illness card [1194/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 990 and 1035 together.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines. In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of general practice consultation.
991. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if he will outline cuts to funding for the Wellmount Health Clinic, Finglas, Dublin, in 2010, 2011, 2012 and planned cuts in the 2013 period [58129/12]
View answer992. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health if a poverty impact assessment was carried out in the run up to decisions on cuts to health clinics, particularly Wellmount Clinic in Finglas, Dublin, which operates a methadone dispensary [58130/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 991 and 992 together.
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. relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
993. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 648, if he will consider reviewing the guidelines from the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, rather than the guidelines of the IDSA, which Ireland currently follows in view of the fact that the two sets of guidelines make for different reading in dealing with lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58149/12]
View answer996. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if, following information received from Tick Talk Ireland in March, a response will be issued to them about the problems they identified in testing for and diagnosing Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58154/12]
View answer1018. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the steps he or the Health Service Executive have taken relative to the care of the needs of those with Lyme Disease; his response to those involved in a campaign to have the disease properly recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1115/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 993, 996 and 1018 together.
Since September 2011, Lyme Disease has been statutorily notifiable under the Infectious Diseases Regulations. The standard approach to the treatment of Lyme Disease is to follow the guidance laid out in the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) guidelines on the clinical assessment, treatment and prevention of Lyme Disease. This is accepted as being the most up to date synthesis of best available evidence on the clinical management of Lyme Disease and treatment of Lyme Disease in Ireland is based upon this guidance. A consensus statement on the clinical management of Lyme Disease has been issued jointly from the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, the Infectious Diseases Society of Ireland, the Irish Society of Clinical Microbiologists, the Irish Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and the Irish College of General Practitioners, all of whom support the use of this guidance.
The diagnosis of a case of Lyme Disease can be difficult. The standard approach to Lyme diagnostics is a two-stage approach and involves using a sensitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) as an initial screening step. However, screening EIA's can be insufficiently specific and can give other false-positive reactions in the presence of various other infections from syphilis to glandular fever. In addition, sera from patients with autoimmune disorders and other inflammatory conditions can also lead to false-positive results. Samples giving reactive or equivocal results in screening tests are further investigated in a second stage immunoblot test. The use of immunoblot testing greatly increases specificity. Using this two stage approach gives a greater degree of certainty around the diagnosis of Lyme Disease.
A response to Tick Talk Ireland will issue shortly.
994. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health the latest update of his dealing with the group SOUND; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58150/12]
View answer1098. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health when he will bring forward a package of supports for those who developed Narcolepsy as a result of vaccination with Pandemrix; the reason for the delay in bringing forward these proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1735/13]
View answer1099. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that adequate counselling supports will be provided as part of the package of supports for those who developed narcolepsy as a result of vaccination with Pandemrix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1736/13]
View answer1100. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive will next meet with the support group SOUND; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1737/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 994, 1098, 1099 and 1100 together.
Both myself and officials from my Department, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Skills have met with SOUND on a number of occasions, to address their concerns and to outline the services available. My priority is to ensure that children/adolescents affected by narcolepsy with symptom onset post pandemic vaccination are provided with services and supports to meet their health needs.
The HSE and the Department of Education and Skills together provide a comprehensive range of services and supports to those affected. These supports and services include access to rapid diagnosis, clear treatment pathways, temporary medical cards and reimbursement of expenses incurred. This includes expenses for counselling services for individuals and also for families of children affected by narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination, in cases where such services are not already available through the HSE. Multidisciplinary assessments which allow for the appropriate individualised health and educational supports to be put in place are ongoing. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is also engaging with the HSE and with the individual schools and parents of children concerned to identify and provide educational supports for the children and adolescents affected. The Health Service Executive advocacy unit is in regular contact with SOUND. Through regional co-ordinators the HSE also has frequent contact with individual members of SOUND.
M y Department is considering all possible supports which may need to be put in place for those affected by Narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination. A further meeting with representatives from SOUND will be arranged when the matter has been concluded.
