Written Answers Nos. 244 - 254
244. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on the possibility of horse meat contaminated with the substance known as Bute having entered the food chain here; the potential harmful effects of consuming such meat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9389/13]
View answer245. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken since the onset of the recent crisis to ensure that all meat products for sale here are safe to consume; the steps he has taken to ensure that no food on sale here is contaminated with the substance commonly referred to as Bute; the contact between him, his Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Marine regarding same; the nature of all contacts in this regard by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland with his Department; his Department's response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9393/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has advised me that testing for phenylbutazone (Bute) in the food chain is conducted every year under the National Residues Control Programme (NRCP). This testing is carried out on samples from bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine and equine animals as well as poultry, farmed game and milk.
Based on the above tests, the FSAI has informed me that there is no evidence that Bute has entered the food chain here. With regard to the beef burgers in which equine DNA was detected as part of the recent FSAI survey, these were also tested for Bute - the test results were negative, thus posing no threat to public health.
In light of the recent horse meat incident across Europe, the European Commission has introduced an EU wide programme of control measures, including increased testing of horse meat for Bute. The results of this control programme will provide an evidence base for the possible consideration of further measures to be taken, if necessary.
Officials from my Department are in daily contact with the FSAI in relation to the ongoing horsemeat incident in Europe to ensure there remains no threat to public health. I am also being kept informed of events and developments by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who ensured a speedy response and investigation at national level to the incident. Also, he has initiated and led a rapid and collective response to the horsemeat incident in Europe in his capacity as President of Council of Agriculture Ministers.
248. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if patients from the Connemara area and the Aran Islands are being referred to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe for routine MRI scans and other procedures; the reason for same; the number that have been so referred; his views on whether it is reasonable to expect persons to travel this far; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9401/13]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
249. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding surgery in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9420/13]
View answerThe management of inpatient and daycase waiting lists for patients awaiting public health care is based on the principle that after urgent and cancer patients are treated, then clinically assessed routine patients should be seen in chronological order (i.e. longest waiter first). Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.
In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
250. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will document the public moneys spent on fluoridation of the water supply between 2006 and 2012 inclusive. [9426/13]
View answer251. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the company or companies that supply fluoride to the State; where the fluoride, natural and synthetic, is added to the water and sourced. [9427/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.
The estimated annual expenditure by the HSE on fluoridation for 2006 -2012 inclusive is as follows:
|
Year |
Expenditure €m(excluding VAT on hydrofluosilicic acid) |
|
2006 |
3.25 |
|
2007 |
3.39 |
|
2008 |
3.56 |
|
2009 |
3.90 |
|
2010 |
4.78 |
|
2011 |
3.68 |
|
2012 |
3.52 |
The costs include hydrofluosilicic acid - the chemical used for fluoridating water, operational costs and some minor capital costs.The fluoride is sourced as a primary product in Spain, mined directly from a raw material source - the mineral fluorospar. It goes through a purification process to conform to tightly controlled specifications to produce hydrofluosilicic acid. This process is conducted by a company in Spain - Derivados del Fluor. Chemifloc Ltd. is the company contracted by the HSE for the supply and delivery of hydrofluosilicic acid for the purpose of water fluoridation. The fluoride is added to the public water supplies at water treatment plants throughout the country by the local authorities acting as agents for the health authorities as provided for in the Health (Fluoridation of Water Supplies) Act 1960.
252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the refusal of a medical card application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9434/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9435/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an arrangement will be made whereby a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be admitted urgently for appropriate treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9436/13]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
