Written Answers Nos. 275-287
276. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if in the context of examination of eligibility for medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare cognisance has been taken of their medication and care requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40350/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40351/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card restored to a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in August and withdrawn in September; if the medical card will re-issue without delay in view of the fact that the person is in receipt of invalidity allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40352/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the procedures governing a cosmetic medical procedure in the case of a child (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40353/13]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to him in the matter.
280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was refused in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40354/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the circumstances in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of their eligibility for a refund under the ECHI who received treatment while on holiday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40355/13]
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
283. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of advisers, programme managers, press officers and political staff and communication staff employed by his Department in 1981, 2011 and currently in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40705/13]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy regarding advisory staff employed in support of the Minister for Health and Ministers of State at the Department is detailed below:
|
Minister |
1981 |
2011 |
2013 |
|
Dr. Michael Woods, T.D. |
* 1 Political Advisor |
- |
- |
|
Dr. James Reilly T.D. Minister for Health |
- |
1 Press Advisor 1 Special Advisor |
1 Press Advisor 1 Special Advisor |
|
Róisín Shortall T.D. Minister of State |
- |
0.5 work sharer - Special Advisor |
- |
|
Alex White T.D. Minister of State |
- |
- |
1 Special Advisor |
* Despite extensive searches, it is not possible to confirm if there were any other advisors / political staff employed in support of the Minister / Ministers of State in 1981.
The above numbers do not include permanent members of the civil service staff of the Department who may be engaged in functions related to general press and communications work.
284. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of the current 32,877 licensed small public service vehicle drivers that have been awarded additional areas of operation for which they have never sat or passed the area knowledge test. [40202/13]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009, including responsibility for SPSV licensing requirements and the development and administration of the area knowledge and skills development test.
Your correspondence has been forwarded to the NTA for direct reply. If you do not receive a response within ten working days please notify my private Office.
285. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the total sum that has been spent since 2008, by the former Commission for Taxi Regulation and now the National Transport Authority to support the development and provision of infrastructure to facilitate and support the operation of small public service vehicles in all local authority areas; if he will provide a breakdown of the total amount spent on all or any projects; the number of local authorities that applied for financial assistance and the number that were refused. [40201/13]
View answerThe National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the regulation of the taxi industry under the provisions of the Public Transport Regulation Act, 2009. This includes, as provided for under Sections 11 and 50 of the Taxi Regulation Act, 2003, powers to give financial assistance to Local Authorities for the development of infrastructure for the small public service vehicles (SPSVs) services.
I have referred your Question to the NTA for direct response. Please advise my private office if you do not get a response within ten working days.
286. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding funding in respect of a club (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will outline all streams of funding available through his Department or an agency under its remit. [40291/13]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme is the Government’s primary vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. No decision has been made on the timing of the next round of the Programme. My Department does not provide any funding to meet current costs.
It may be possible for the club to raise funds via the ‘Tax Relief for Donations to Certain Sports Bodies’ scheme (section 847A of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997). This is a Revenue operated scheme which offers tax benefits to individuals or companies who make donations to sports clubs. Further details on this scheme and how it operates can be found on the Revenue Commissioners' website.
