Tuesday, 30 Apr 2013

Written Answers Nos. 566-582

Home Help Service Eligibility

Questions (566)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

566. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding home help in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry. [20117/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Vaccination Programme

Questions (567)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

567. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when he will put in place a package for the children who were affected by the swine flu pandemrix injection. [20118/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My priority is to ensure that children/adolescents affected by narcolepsy, with symptom onset post pandemic vaccination are provided with a range of services and supports to meet their health needs. The Health Service Executive has responsibility for health service delivery and at my request the HSE developed a range of appropriate services and supports to address the needs of this group. Together, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills provide a very 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. Multi-disciplinary 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 HSE's advocacy unit is in regular contact with the support group SOUND and last met representatives of the group on 28 February 2013. Through regional co-ordinators the HSE also has frequent contact with individuals affected by narcolepsy and their families to facilitate access to services already in place. Last month, on 22 March 2013 the HSE held an information day for families affected by narcolepsy to ensure those affected were made fully aware of all of the services available to them. I would like to assure the Deputy that this matter continues to be a priority for my Department.

Home Care Packages

Questions (568)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

568. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a home care package is approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20128/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (569)

Finian McGrath

Question:

569. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding special needs assistance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare. [20136/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Energy Conservation

Questions (570)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

570. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he has given due consideration to proposals put forward by Energy Action Ireland in relation to funding to continue to deliver essential retrofitting and insulation works; and if he has given consideration to proposals to use the Health Service Executive network of professional, vocational and trusted staff to deliver advice in relation to this service to the most vulnerable. [20147/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The matters raised by the Deputy are within the area of responsibility of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and accordingly I have referred the Deputy’s question to that Department for attention. As the question also refers in part to the possibility of utilising Health Service Executive staff to advise on the matter raised, I have also referred the question to the Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services Provision

Questions (571)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

571. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the efforts being made to secure a base for the Order of Malta branch in Kells, County Meath, in view of its important role in the delivery of health services and supports in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20151/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mobility Allowance Decision

Questions (572)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

572. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when the special review group on devising an alternative scheme to the mobility allowance will deliver a report; the persons who are on this group; the criteria used to appoint them; their terms of reference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18830/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

A Project Group to review the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant has been established to seek an alternative method to provide for the priority transport needs of people with a disability in a manner that does not run counter to the Equal Status Acts. The Group, who will report to Government next month, have met five times. The results of the review will be presented to the Government before any final decisions are made on future arrangements. At this stage, I am not in a position to pre-empt the outcome of the review or the decision of the Government.

Membership of the Project Group , which is independently chaired, is drawn from both the statutory and the non-statutory sectors. The work of the Project Group is being supported by the National Disability Authority and includes representatives from the Irish Wheelchair Association, the Disability Federation of Ireland, the Centre for Independent Living, an independent service user and advocate for people with disabilities and a retired County Council Manager with relevant experience. Minister Reilly and I have instructed the Project Group to seek solutions across the whole of Government, so that alongside representatives from the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive, membership also includes representatives from An Pobal and from the Departments of Transport, Tourism & Sport, Environment, Community & Local Government, Social Protection and Finance.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (573)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

573. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will advise on the range of mental health services available for adults, adolescents and children in the Cavan Monaghan constituency and across the Dublin north east region; if he will outline his plans for further developments already signed off on but yet to be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20159/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Nursing Home Services

Questions (574, 575)

Brian Stanley

Question:

574. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when his Department will publish the report into the public nursing homes in Shaen and Abbeyleix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20259/13]

Brian Stanley

Question:

575. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health his Department's plans for the future of Shaen and Abbeyleix nursing homes. [20260/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 574 and 575 together.

The Deputy will be aware that following the completion of the consultation process regarding the potential closure of Abbeyleix Community Nursing Unit and St Brigid’s Hospital, Shaen all relevant information and submissions were presented to the Designated Officer on 16 August 2012. Having considered all of the information available, the Designated Officer formulated his recommendations and submitted them to the Department. These recommendations are being considered by the Minister. It is anticipated that an announcement will be made shortly in respect of both facilities.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (576)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

576. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card renewal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20261/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Questions (577, 578, 579)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

577. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that unmarked ambulance and emergency vehicles are in use in the Kildare area; if these include high powered vehicles; if he will detail the date of purchase and cost of same; if it is policy that workers are allowed take these vehicles home; if this practice has ever left any area short of vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20276/13]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

578. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the vehicle maintenance protocol for emergency vehicles in the Kildare area; if it is the case that there are two qualified mechanics employed by the Health Service Executive in the eastern region yet when vehicles are scheduled for routine maintenance they have to go off the road to a main garage for repairs at extra expense to the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20277/13]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

579. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the level of mileage at which ambulances are at the end of their life; the process for ensuring that that is the case; the number of vehicles in the Kildare area which have surpassed this mileage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20278/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 577 to 579, inclusive, together.

In relation to the particular queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in these matters.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (580)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

580. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will review the refusal of a GMS card to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20307/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

Disabled Drivers Grant Eligibility

Questions (581)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

581. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the financial assistance available by way of motorised transport grant or otherwise to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20343/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The motorised transport grant was abolished on the 26th February 2013. A project group to review both the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance has been established to seek an alternative method to provide for the priority transport needs of people with a disability in a manner that does not run counter to the Equal Status Acts. At this stage, I am not in a position to pre-empt the outcome of the review or the decision of the Government.

The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides a range of tax reliefs linked to the purchase and use of vehicles by disabled drivers and disabled passengers. Further details are available from citizens information or the revenue commissioners.

Hospital Procedures

Questions (582)

Willie Penrose

Question:

582. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the number of women who underwent symphiostomies at Mullingar Hospital, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20350/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of symphysiotomies that took place at Mullingar Hospital is a matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have forwarded your request to the Executive for direct response.