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Tuesday, 5 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 1156-1177

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (1156)

Anne Ferris

Question:

1156. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health if his Department will prepare a handbook outlining, in a transparent manner, the eligibility requirements for a medical card and appeal arrangements for those transferred to a general practitioner card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46478/13]

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Written answers

The Government is aware that public concern on the issue of medical cards has been heightened in recent times and is committed to ensuring that the public will have all the relevant facts they need regarding medical card eligibility.

In response to a request by Minister Reilly, the HSE has devised a wide ranging plan to improve the provision of information to the public about medical cards. On 30th October, the HSE announced a communications campaign designed to raise awareness of the rules governing eligibility for medical cards. This includes providing extra resources to the national Call Centre for public enquiries, a public information campaign through media advertisements, the development of a key new Information Leaflet, improved support on the HSE website, wide ranging training for front line staff and more. The roll out of this campaign is scheduled over the next period, with some elements already actioned.

As a result, communications on the issue of medical cards will be enhanced to ensure the public has all the information it needs. Comprehensive information, particularly on expenses taken into account for medical cards eligibility, will be available.

In addition, the National Assessment Guidelines for the medical card scheme are available on the HSE website.

The HSE has also 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 to individual queries. The contact details have issued to Oireachtas members.

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Questions (1157)

Anne Ferris

Question:

1157. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health the total amount spent by his Department on the purchase of prescription drugs distributed under medical cards and distributed under general practitioner cards; the corresponding amount contributed by recipients in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46479/13]

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Written answers

The cost of drugs and medicines provided to medical card holders, in 2012, is estimated at just over €1.3 billion. GP visit cards do not cover the cost of drugs.

Medical card holders are currently required to pay a €1.50 charge per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €19.50 per month for each person or family. In 2012 the prescription charge was €0.50 per item, subject to a cap of €10.00. The revenue raised from the prescription charge in 2012 is €29.70 million.

Health Services Provision

Questions (1158)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a new appointment will be arranged in November in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare to attend the hearing service clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46496/13]

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Written answers

The 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.

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Questions (1159)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

1159. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the expected start date for the second neurologist to the north west; if he will indicate the reason he or she cannot take up the position at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46500/13]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1160)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

1160. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for public patients to see a consultant (details supplied) in County Donegal; if there are any patients waiting in excess of nine months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46501/13]

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Written answers

For 2013, a maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 1161 answered with Question No. 1123.
Question No. 1162 answered with Question No. 1141.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1163)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1163. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason when assessing income of applicants for medical cards the Health Service Executive will not accept a P21 issued by the Revenue Commissioners but insist on a notice of assessment from the Revenue Commissioners when the Revenue Commissioners only issue P21s where a person’s self-employed income is a subsidiary income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46560/13]

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Written answers

I am advised by the HSE that the Medical Card/GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines include a description of the documentary evidence that an applicant must provide in relation to each income type an applicant and his/her dependants, if any, is in receipt of. An assessment of means, essential to a determination of an applicant’s eligibility for medical card or GP visit card eligibility, cannot be concluded in the absence of the required proof verifying the household income amount.

The National Assessment Guidelines state that a person in receipt of an income from self employment must provide either a:

- Revenue Notice of Assessment as proof of income from this source, or

- if, Revenue has determined that an income return for tax purposes is not necessary, a Non Liable Notification Letter issued by Revenue in addition to a statement of the amount of income being received from this source.

A “Non Liable Notification Letter” will typically issue by Revenue in cases where a very low income is being returned from the self-employment activity concerned. Such determination can only be made by Revenue when an income return is made to Revenue and an assessment of tax liability is conducted based on the return.

A self-employed person should complete and submit a Revenue Form 11 in order to make a return of income for assessment by the office of the Revenue Commissioners. For assistance with completing a Revenue Form 11, the local offices of the Revenue Commissioners can be contacted or the website www.revenue.ie accessed.

A P21 is a tax balancing statement in respect of PAYE income only. Income from self-employment for the purposes of medical card eligibility assessment is based on information provided on a Revenue Notice of Assessment or a statement of the income being received where revenue have assessed the income amount as being non-liable for tax.

National Lottery Funding Applications

Questions (1164)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1164. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on application by Galway mountain rescue for national lottery funding in view of the urgent need for a replacement vehicle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46561/13]

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Written answers

My Department has received an application for funding from the 2013 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. This is one of a large number of applications currently being assessed. The Deputy will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.

HSE Properties

Questions (1165)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

1165. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the position regarding vacant housing owned by the Health Service Executive (details supplied) in County Dublin; if he will take steps to ensure that these buildings are repaired; if he will consider making these houses available to persons on the local housing waiting list or mental health service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46588/13]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Water Fluoridation

Questions (1166)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

1166. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the amount of fluoride suppliers who have been paid in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46597/13]

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Written answers

In the past five years two companies have been paid for the supply delivery of hydrofluosilicic acid for the purpose of water fluoridation.

Community Care Issues

Questions (1167)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

1167. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the total number of persons in receipt of community based nursing services from the Health Service Executive nationwide; the number of these that are children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46598/13]

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Written answers

Public Health Nurses (PHNs) and Registered General Nurses (RGNs) working in the community provide a wide range of services including maternity and infant care services, child health services, services to older people, community rehabilitation, Hospital in the Home, Community Intervention Teams, leg ulcer clinics etc.

Information in relation to the total number of persons in receipt of community based nursing services is not routinely collected nationally by the HSE. The following provides the latest information based on the data that is collated nationally.

- 45,838 children under the age of 10 months had their Child Development Health Screening undertaken from January to the end of August 2013. This includes screening completed by both Public Health Nurses and Area Medical Officers;

- 44,308 new born babies were visited by a PHN within 72 hours of hospital discharge (39,328 of these were within 48 hours) from January to September 2013;

- 43,762 babies were seen by a PHN at their 3 month assessment from January to September 2013;

In relation to the further specific information requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the issue.

HSE Agency Staff Expenditure

Questions (1168)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

1168. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the total annual spend on agency nurses in the community who cover annual leave, sick leave and leave of absence. [46599/13]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Palliative Care for Children

Questions (1169)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

1169. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the number of children that have received palliative care nursing from the Health Service Executive in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46600/13]

View answer

Written answers

As 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.

Respite Care Services

Questions (1170)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

1170. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of children who have received short-term and long-term Health Service Executive respite care in 2012; and the total number of hours provided for each. [46601/13]

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Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department. However, I have asked the HSE to provide the information it has available directly to the Deputy in relation these matters.

Mobility Allowance Review

Questions (1171)

John O'Mahony

Question:

1171. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the schemes available to persons since the closing of the motorised transport grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46612/13]

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Written answers

Conscious of the position of the Ombudsman that the Motorised Transport Grant Scheme was illegal in the context of the Equal Status Acts the grant was closed on the 26th February earlier this year. The scheme remains closed.

An inter-departmental group, chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach has been working to develop detailed proposals for the operation of a new statutory scheme for consideration by Government.

Mobility Allowance payments continue to be made on a temporary basis by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to current recipients. These will continue to be made for a further period pending the commencement of new statutory provisions in the interests of preventing hardship.

More information regarding travel supports is available from local Citizens Information Centres or their website at http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/

Question No. 1172 answered with Question No. 1057.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1173)

Tom Fleming

Question:

1173. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and award full medical cards in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46630/13]

View answer

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.

Health Services Issues

Questions (1174)

Seán Fleming

Question:

1174. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when proper transport facilities will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46658/13]

View answer

Written answers

As 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.

Question No. 1175 answered with Question No. 1150.

Emergency Services Personnel

Questions (1176)

Michael Lowry

Question:

1176. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health the reason the fire brigade is not called to assist in the case of cardiac arrest where an ambulance is not available; his views on whether this would be a prudent measure in view of the frequency of cardiac arrests and the need for swift action in these cases; if he will examine the possibility of creating a call system for the fire brigade when the ambulance is not available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46682/13]

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Written answers

Statutory pre-hospital emergency care services for the State are provided by the HSE National Ambulance Service. In the greater Dublin area, Dublin Fire Brigade provides this service on behalf of the HSE.

As the particular query raised is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.

Hospital Procedures

Questions (1177)

Michael Lowry

Question:

1177. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who is currently awaiting an urgent scan in Cork University Hospital; the reasons for the delay; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the person was rushed to hospital twice last weekend by ambulance due to the severe pain; his views on whether this is a logical and reasonable use of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46683/13]

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Written answers

Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

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