Written Answers Nos. 549-565
549. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a tobacco company (details supplied) has introduced a limited edition cigarette in their packets; his views on whether this contravenes the Public Health (Tobacco) Amendment Act 2013, as a promotional or marketing exercise by the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19983/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has advised that it is aware of the matter referred to by the Deputy. The Health Service Executive are currently investigating this matter with a view to assessing compliance with relevant Tobacco Control legislation. If determined to contravene the legislation the Health Service Executive will take appropriate enforcement action to ensure the matter is addressed.
550. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure the continuation of existing services at South Tipperary General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19990/13]
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.
551. 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. [20000/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
552. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that all residents at a disability services facility (details supplied) in County Meath are safe and receiving proper professional care. [20014/13]
View answer553. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 98 of 26 May 2011, the reason for the delay in investigating a case (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [20015/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 552 and 553 together.
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services, including Disability services.
As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
554. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the contents of the report that he has been asked to produce by the programme finance troika comparing the price of medicines here with other European countries; the scope of the report; the resources he has deployed to prepare the report; when the report will be finalised; and if it will be laid before the Oireachtas. [20022/13]
View answerAs part of the EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland, the Department and the HSE commissioned the ESRI to conduct a study on pharmaceutical prices, prescribing practices and the usage of generics in Ireland, compared to similar EU Member States. The report will be finalised in the coming weeks, following which it will be placed on the Department's website.
555. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation regarding the reporting of infectious diseases, subject to the 1981 infectious disease statute, specifically, at paragraph 17.2, which states that practitioners are paid for reporting an infectious disease; if this is still the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20043/13]
View answerArticle 17 (1) of the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 1981 (S.I. No. 390 of 1981) states that where a medical practitioner:
(a) sends a notification that a person is suffering from or is a carrier of an infectious disease, or
(b) sends a notification or intimation that he suspects that a person is suffering from or is a carrier of an infectious disease and such suspicion is subsequently confirmed, the health board shall pay him the appropriate fee in respect of such notification or intimation.
The fee payable to GP's per notification of such infectious disease is €2.54 and this payment is payable on an annual basis.
556. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the appeal will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20049/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
557. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their application for a medical card. [20090/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
558. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their application for a medical card. [20091/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
559. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their application for a medical card. [20092/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
560. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their application for a medical card. [20093/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
561. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their application for a medical card. [20094/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
562. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on their application for a medical card. [20095/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently reissued to Oireachtas members.
563. Deputy Joe O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to expedite the orthodontic treatment for two second level students (details supplied) in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20101/13]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
564. Deputy Joe O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the financial assistance aid available for a second level student (details supplied) in County Cavan who has severe vision problems, strabismus, and requires very expensive glasses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20102/13]
View answerAll children of primary school age are provided with an optical screening service by the HSE. Any refractive errors are treated and spectacles or other appropriate care is provided where necessary. Second level students up to 16 years are eligible for HSE eyecare services where they are named on their parents' medical cards. Other second level students up to 16 years are eligible to be seen by a HSE eye doctor when there is a medical reason for the eye condition, rather than a refractive error. Such patients may be referred for treatment after being examined by an optometrist. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
