Written Answers Nos. 488-505
488. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification on the total number of discretionary medical cards issued to persons in County Tipperary in 2013; if he will provide information on the way this compares to 2011 and 2012; the total number of discretionary medical card holders in County Tipperary in 2013; the way this compares to 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44146/13]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
489. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will support the joint pre-budget submission by organisations (details supplied) that clearly show that cuts are affecting persons with an intellectual disability and-or autism in a multitude of ways; if he will ensure that all Government Departments start making persons with a disability a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44149/13]
View answerIt is not possible to predict the service levels to be provided next year for the disability sector until the completion of the HSE's National Service Plan for 2014.
The National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan calls to action all individuals, organisations, local and national Government to think positively about disability. It is a collaborative effort and an open invitation to the community and voluntary sectors to work creatively together with statutory agencies and government departments to improve the lives of people with disabilities over the next three years. It is an opportunity to build on the progress achieved by the Strategy to date and ensure going forward that people with disabilities have more choice and control in their lives, can reach their full potential and can participate in the every day life of the community.
The Department of Justice and Equality is the lead department in ensuring a coordinated, whole of government approach in delivering on the commitments set out in the Plan and to consistently promote equality for people with disabilities in both mainstream and disability specific services.
490. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a service in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44151/13]
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.
491. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate the case of a person (details supplied) who was admitted to Drogheda Hospital, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44153/13]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
492. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12. [44159/13]
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.
493. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if there is funding available to assist a domestic violence response unit (details supplied) to ensure it remains operational in the immediate future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44172/13]
View answer555. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the position regarding engagement between the Health Service Executive and a charitable organisation (details supplied) in County Galway with a view to identifying a resolution in respect of the organisation's shortfall this year. [44568/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 555 together.
In 2010 the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was published. It aims to provide a framework for sustainable intervention to prevent and effectively respond to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and is lead by COSC which is the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.
The HSE subsequently published its own Policy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. The principal actions are in line with the National Strategy. The HSE’s policy states that a health-focused analysis of violence is crucial, not only because the consequences of such violence require a significant amount of healthcare system resources, but most importantly because the health care system is often the first route through which victims seek to access supports.
In relation to the specific service issues raised by the Deputy, the questions asked have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
494. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in providing a hearing aid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44173/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive Community Audiology service administers and monitors hearing tests for adults who are at risk for hearing loss. Appointments for the audiology service are sent in a strict chronology according to clinical priorities and date of receipt of referral. The HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
495. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health when an application for validation of radiographic qualification will be completed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo considering that the national validation office received the application on 27 November 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44200/13]
View answerAt present there is no system of statutory registration for radiographers in Ireland. However, the Radiographers Registration Board has been established and is expected to open its register on 31 October 2013.
In the absence of statutory registration, persons are free to work in the private health sector in Ireland without having their qualifications recognised. However, persons wishing to work in the publicly-funded health sector in Ireland who have obtained their qualifications outside the State must apply to have their professional qualifications recognised under Directive 2005/36/EC. Such qualifications are assessed for their equivalence to the Irish entry-level qualifications required to work in the public health sector.
In the case of the health and social care professions, including radiography, the Directive provides for an assessment, on a case-by-case basis, of the formal qualifications and professional experience of an applicant against the qualifications required to practise in the host member state, i.e. Ireland, and to offer the applicant a compensation measure should deficits in qualifications be identified.
Under Statutory Instruments Nos. 139 and 166 of 2008, which transpose the Directive into Irish law, the Minister for Health is the Competent Authority for the assessment of radiography qualifications and is advised by the Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy (IIRRT). The National Validation Office, Health Service Executive, Galway administers the process on behalf of my Department.
In the case of the applicant to whom the Deputy refers, the IIRRT carried out an assessment of her qualifications and, based on the information provided, deficits were identified. She was therefore invited to submit further documentation to support her application. This documentation is currently being examined by the IIRRT and it is expected that a decision will issue to her shortly from my Office.
496. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide respite care for persons with mental disabilities; the actions persons can take if the carer becomes ill or if there is a family emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44203/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
497. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to any plans to provide an ambulance base to the town of Buncrana, County Donegal. [44204/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
498. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44214/13]
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.
499. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will review the following situation (details supplied) regarding the fair deal scheme. [44266/13]
View answerPrivate nursing homes must be registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority and must have agreed a price for the purposes of the Scheme with the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) in order to be approved nursing homes for the purposes of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
The nursing home referred to by the Deputy has been registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority since the 8th August 2013. In addition, the National Treatment Purchase Fund advises that a price for the purposes of the Scheme has been agreed with effect from the 1st October 2013 (the HSE was notified of this on the 11th October).
500. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a definition of terminal under the medical card assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44273/13]
View answerI am advised by the HSE that, for the purpose of the decision making process for an emergency medical card, in these circumstances, a "Terminal Illness" or a person that is "Terminally Ill", is a person that is certified by a doctor or a consultant as "Terminally Ill". Terminally Ill means that the person is suffering from an illness that will end in death where there is no possibility of recovery and the person is more likely to die of his/her illness in the next six months than not.
501. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card review in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44288/13]
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.
502. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recent Crime and Abuse Experienced by Sex Workers in Ireland - Victimisation Survey carried out by UglyMugs.ie which found that only 5.5% of indoor sex workers who had experienced crime received any useful help or support from the women's health project; if he is concerned that these findings indicate the project is not meeting its remit to provide aid and support to sex workers; the steps he will take to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44295/13]
View answerIn 2010 the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence was published by Cosc. It aims to provide a framework for sustainable intervention to prevent and effectively respond to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and is led by Cosc which is the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence which comes under the remit of Department of Justice and Equality.
The Minister has no direct policy responsibility in this matter.
503. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when persons (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on a medical card review. [44321/13]
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.
504. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on a medical card application. [44322/13]
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.
505. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect a decision on a medical card application. [44323/13]
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.
