Mary Lou McDonald
Question:520. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) has been refused renewal of their medical card. [41812/13]
View answerMedical Card Applications
Questions (520)
Written answers
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
Medical Card Appeals
Questions (521)
Bernard Durkan
Question:521. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in respect of an appeal for a full medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41813/13]
View answerWritten answers
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (522)
Finian McGrath
Question:522. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding mental health services in Coolock, Dublin 5; if there is a service or a waiting list for emergency referrals for those who live in the Dublin 13 area; and the amount of the €35 million that has been spent on mental health services on the north side of Dublin [41830/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Card Appeals
Questions (523)
Tom Fleming
Question:523. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will review a decision to turn down a medical card appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41831/13]
View answerWritten answers
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
Primary Care Services Provision
Questions (524)
Billy Kelleher
Question:524. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has no stores on the north side of Cork city; the reason patients have to travel to the Sarsfield Road to get essential supplies such as pads, bags and so on; if he will consider locating a store on the north side of the city perhaps at the Orthopaedic Hospital, Gurranabraher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41832/13]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (525)
Billy Kelleher
Question:525. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding patients who received DePuy ASR hips; the number who have already had them replaced; the number who remain on the list; the course of action he will take following this scandal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41834/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Hospital Staff Issues
Questions (526)
Billy Kelleher
Question:526. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the staffing of the epilepsy monitoring unit at Cork University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41837/13]
View answerWritten answers
The National Clinical Care Programme provides for the commissioning of a Regional Epilepsy Monitoring Unit to be based in Cork University Hospital.
Critical to the opening of the Regional Epilepsy Monitoring Unit in Cork University Hospital is the requirement to recruit five staff nurses and one Senior and one Basic Grade Neurophysiological Technician. I am advised that the recruitment of the staff required to open the unit is taking longer than anticipated due to the specialist nature of the staff involved. Three nurses have been recruited via the National Recruitment Service and the recruitment of the two remaining staff nurses is at an advanced stage. While the recruitment of these staff on a permanent basis is being progressed, hospital management is progressing a number of options to redeploy staff on a temporary basis to allow the unit to be opened as soon as possible.
Long-Term Illness Scheme Eligibility
Questions (527, 555)
Michelle Mulherin
Question:527. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health if he will place Addison's disease on the list of illnesses that are covered by the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41839/13]
View answerBilly Kelleher
Question:555. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason rheumatoid arthritis is not included on the long-term illness scheme; if he will consider adding it to the list of qualifying illnesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42030/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 555 together.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.
Ambulance Service Provision
Questions (528)
Tom Fleming
Question:528. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will meet, at an early date, a deputation comprising the Kerry South Oireachtas Members and members of Killarney Town Council in respect of the proposed changes to the ambulance service in Killarney; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41842/13]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS) has set out a plan for a new model of pre-hospital care service for the people of South Kerry. This new model emerged from an analysis of the needs of the South Kerry area and the best use of available resources, including paramedics and advanced paramedics.
The plan has also been informed by the modernisation developments that have already taken place in East Cork, North Cork and West Cork. The plan is extremely detailed, providing numerous benefits agreed between HSE management, union representatives and staff. The plan to modernise the South Kerry service follows a consultation process with a wide range of interested groups, such as GPs, local public representatives and community groups. I understand that representatives from the HSE's National Ambulance Service and senior HSE management met with GPs, public representatives and community groups in South Kerry in September to update them on the plans to modernise the NAS services in the region.
In light of the extensive consultation that has already taken place, I do not plan to meet with the above representatives in relation to this matter at this stage.
Data Protection
Questions (529)
Michael Creed
Question:529. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation within his Department regarding the provision of patient information to Oireachtas Members who have received representation from their constituents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41854/13]
View answerWritten answers
The provision of personal data to Oireachtas members who have received representations from constituents is guided by the recommendations of the Data Protection Commissioner. The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner last issued guidance for Data Controllers on the release of personal data to public representatives in November 2007 and is available on their website.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (530)
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:530. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will review a decision on a medical card renewal application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41859/13]
View answerWritten answers
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 issued to Oireachtas members.
Hospital Waiting Lists
Questions (531)
Tom Fleming
Question:531. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an urgent referral for cataract treatment in respect a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41874/13]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (532, 541, 573, 580)
Terence Flanagan
Question:532. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding cuts to Prosper Fingal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41908/13]
View answerFinian McGrath
Question:541. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason €1,073,773 was cut from the budget of Prosper Fingal disability services despite increased service users; and the way this service can survive with this 17% cut from 2012 to 2014. [41951/13]
View answer
Clare Daly
Question:573. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure there are no further cuts to protect services at providers such as Prosper Fingal. [42267/13]
View answer
Róisín Shortall
Question:580. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there are no further cuts to the funding of Prosper Fingal, Rush, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42364/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 532, 541, 573 and 580 together.
Prosper Fingal was established in 1978 as a parents and friends organisation (formerly called The Fingal Association for the Handicapped), to provide a local day service for adults with a moderate or mild learning disability. The aim of the organisation is to “enable people with disabilities develop their true potential towards full and independent participation in society”.
Prosper Fingal provides personal and social services to adults with an intellectual disability on behalf of the Health Service Executive under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004. Services are provided through a Service Arrangement which is reviewed on an annual basis.
The HSE will continue to work closely with voluntary service providers and service users and their families to ensure available resources are used in a creative and flexible manner in order to be responsive to the needs that present. The Health Service as a whole has to operate within the parameters of funding available to it and given the current economic environment; this has become a major challenge for all stakeholders, including the HSE, voluntary service providers, services users and their families.
The level of funding available for the health budget and the extent of the savings required in the health sector are being considered as part of the estimates and budgetary process for 2014 which is currently underway. Pending completion of the national estimates, budgetary and service planning process for 2014 it is not possible to predict the service levels to be provided next year for the disability sector.
Vaccine Damage Compensation Scheme
Questions (533)
Terence Flanagan
Question:533. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the introduction of a vaccine damage compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41910/13]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently examining the recommendations of the Vaccine Damage Steering Group. However, this issue is complex and needs to be considered in the wider context of how best to address the long term health and social needs of people who may have experienced adverse outcomes from other health services.
Health Insurance Cover
Questions (534)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:534. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will claify the position regarding health insurance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41914/13]
View answerWritten answers
My Department oversees the maintenance of a competitive and sustainable private health insurance market, under the provisions of the Health Insurance Acts 1994 to 2012. Open Enrolment Regulations, made under the Health Insurance Acts, provide for maximum waiting periods for eligibility for payment under a health insurance contract, excluding payments resulting from injury or accident, in respect of first entry to health insurance and in respect of pre-existing medical conditions. They also provide for persons whose cover has ceased for less than 13 weeks to become insured again without affecting their position as regards waiting periods served, provided the same level of cover is involved. The maximum waiting periods that an insurer may apply under the legislation is as follows:
- 26 weeks, in respect of a person who is under the age of 55 years;
- 52 weeks, in respect of a person who is of or over the age of 55 years and under the age of 65 years;
- 104 weeks, in respect of a person who is 65 years and over.
These Regulations are important for a number of reasons. Firstly, open enrolment and lifetime cover provides that, except in limited circumstances specified in legislation, health insurers must accept all applicants for health insurance and all consumers are guaranteed the right to renew their policies regardless of their age or health status. Secondly, the provisions on waiting periods help to support community rating. Under community rating, everybody is charged the same premium for a particular health insurance plan, irrespective of age, gender and the current or likely future state of their health. This system requires ‘intergenerational solidarity’, where younger people pay more for health insurance than the level of risk they present would demand, while older people pay less as a direct consequence. So younger and healthier people effectively subsidise older and less healthy people, on the understanding that these younger people will themselves be subsidised by later generations when they reach old age and/or suffer ill health.
The provision of waiting periods can help to discourage individuals from only taking out health insurance later in life, thus minimising the strain placed on the community rating system and ultimately benefitting the entire pool of insured persons in the community, rather than the risks and costs on a person by person basis. In addition, the provision of waiting periods can also provide an important tool for insurers to combat practices where someone could potentially take out a health insurance policy to avail of a particular treatment and then cancel the policy once treatment had been received, without either penalty or sustained contribution to the community-rated model.
Question No. 535 withdrawn.
Community Care Provision
Questions (536)
Michelle Mulherin
Question:536. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health if the necessary investment will be made for the refurbishment of the St. Augustine's, McBride and D'Alton community nursing units, County Mayo, in order that they will meet the Health Information and Quality Authority standards after 2015, thus allowing these facilities to stay open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41921/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (537)
Emmet Stagg
Question:537. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in providing an assessment of need for an autistic child (details supplied) in County Kildare. [41923/13]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Home Help Service Provision
Questions (538)
Bernard Durkan
Question:538. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an increase in home help hours may be accommodated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41942/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.