Written Answers Nos. 211-217
212. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the consultation process in advance of the publication of a new dental Bill; the date on which this Bill will be published and the approach he intends to take to deal with the issue of illegally practising dental technicians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45010/13]
View answerIn June this year, my Department launched a seven week public consultation process on new legislation to replace the Dentists Act, 1985. This took place from 10th June 2013 to 26th July 2013, and the objective of the consultation was to obtain the views of the public and key stakeholders on the proposed new legislation.
The public consultation was advertised in national newspapers on 10th June 2013, and on my Department's website for the full duration of the consultation period. My Department also notified 49 key stakeholder of the public consultation.
A total of 125 submissions were received, and the initial analysis of these submissions has recently been completed. Work is now underway to prepare a comprehensive report of the consultation process in order to identify the primary issues which need to be addressed in a modernised Dental Bill, and this will be published on my Department's website upon completion. The outcome of the consultation will inform the policy position taken when drafting the Heads of Bill, which will be the next stage in the process. This will also inform the undertaking of a Regulatory Impact Analysis which will be carried out by my Department. It is anticipated that the bill will be published in 2014.
My Department and the Dental Council take the matter of illegal practice very seriously and will continue to work with the relevant authorities in addressing this issue.
213. 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. [45018/13]
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.
214. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if home help will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45022/13]
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.
215. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made to date in respect of the promised two primary care centres for County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45053/13]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) is working with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) to progress Primary Care Centre Public Private Partnership. The NDFA as a centre of expertise will be responsible for the delivery of the Primary Care PPP programme on behalf of the HSE, including the management of the procurement phase and the provision of financial advice including a Value for Money assessment. It has been reviewing the processes involved in procurement of PPP projects with a view to streamlining the process and delivering projects more quickly.
The HSE and NDFA have completed an indicative Public Sector Benchmark (PSB) for the overall project which was presented to the Project Board in early September. Considerable work on the project has been completed by the HSE and its appointed design teams and technical advisors. The HSE is in the process of lodging planning applications, details of which will be available on the Waterford County Council planning website.
217. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will review a decision to remove a medical card from a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45084/13]
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.
