Written Answers Nos. 166-171
166. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will issue a discretionary medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47229/13]
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.
167. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical card income limits in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47247/13]
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.
168. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of patients on opthalmology waiting list in County Kerry; the average waiting time; the measures he proposes to take to address the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47253/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
169. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a call for cataract treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47254/13]
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 this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
170. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Health Service Executive's plans to introduce bilateral cochlear implants as standard for children that need them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47255/13]
View answerBeaumont Hospital is the centre for delivering Ireland’s national cochlear implant programme, with surgical provision for patients under six years being carried out in the Children’s University Hospital Temple Street. Since the programme commenced in 1995, over 700 patients have received cochlear implants. Beaumont Hospital carried out ninety cochlear implants in 2012 (42 children and 48 adults).
The HSE has developed a proposal, in liaison with Beaumont Hospital, to introduce a bilateral cochlear implant programme in Ireland. It is planned that the programme will be located in Beaumont Hospital.
This is a complex development and the HSE has engaged with many stakeholders in the proposal development. Introduction of bilateral cochlear implantation will involve additional staff, equipment and capital works and will be dependent on additional funding being made available to support its commencement. The proposal is being considered in the context of the Health Estimate for 2014, announced on 15 October last, and the development of the HSE's National Service Plan 2014.
171. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if representatives of the retail industry and vintners will be included in discussions on the implementation of Towards a Tobacco Free Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47268/13]
View answerThe Department of Health’s policy on smoking is to promote and subsequently move toward a tobacco free society. Ireland’s current policy document, Tobacco Free Ireland, which I launched on 3 October 2013, sets a target for Ireland to be tobacco free (i.e. with a prevalence rate of less than 5%) by 2025. Tobacco Free Ireland addresses a range of tobacco control issues and initiatives and contains over 60 recommendations. The two key themes underpinning the report are protecting children and the denormalisation of smoking. My Department will be developing an action plan for the implementation of the actions outlined in Tobacco Free Ireland. As part of this process, it will be engaging with all appropriate stakeholders.
