Written Answers Nos. 219 - 225
219. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card has been withdrawn in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32391/13]
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.
220. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the forthcoming review of the Dental Act 1985, which will identify the regulatory and other reforms required in the dental health professions; the progress that has been made to date on this issue; if consultations have been held to date with relevant stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32411/13]
View answerA public consultation on new legislation to replace the Dentist Act, 1985 which legislates for the regulation of dentists in Ireland, is currently underway by my Department. This 7 week consultation began on 10th June 2013 and will conclude on 26th July 2013. Members of the public and interested stakeholders are invited to submit views, interests and concerns on key issues relating to the development of the new legislation. The outcome of the consultation will inform the drafting of Heads of Bill, as well as informing the completion of a Regulatory Impact Analysis which will be carried out by my Department.
The proposed new legislation will form part of a suite of legislative instruments to ensure greater accountability of all professions within the health care service. The need for clear and comprehensive regulatory governance in all healthcare professions, which has already been achieved in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act, 2005; the Medical Practitioners Act, 2007; the Pharmacy Act, 2007; and the Nurses and Midwives Act, 2011 will also be provided for in new legislation regulating the dental profession. The protection of the public is the main objective of the proposed new legislation.
222. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to review the funding his Department provides to tackle the issue of cocaine use; if this review will have an impact on the services currently provided by the Louth Community Drug and Alcohol Team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32432/13]
View answerIn the region of €274,000 has been allocated through the Drugs Initiative this year for cocaine specific initiatives provided at local level through the Drugs Task Forces. Of this sum, over €44,600 has been allocated to the North East Regional Drugs Task Force for cocaine measures, including €13,500 to the Louth Community Drug and Alcohol Team. At the request of my Department, the HSE recently carried out a review of the expenditure of cocaine initiative funding in the North East Regional Drugs Task Force area. This review confirmed that the funding allocated to the Task Force is being used to address the cocaine problem.
223. Deputy Seán Conlan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Monaghan who has been awarded extra home help hours is still awaiting the implementation of the additional home help [32434/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
224. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the cost of care for public nursing homes for 2011 for each of the nursing homes in the country; the average weekly cost per patient in each of these nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32440/13]
View answerAs these are service matters, the question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
225. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 225 of 8 May 2013, when the information requested will be supplied by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32442/13]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service issue, I have again asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
