John McGuinness
Question:435. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be reinstated in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [47863/13]
View answerMedical Card Appeals
Questions (435)
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.
Mobility Allowance Review
Questions (436)
Dara Calleary
Question:436. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health if the review of the mobility allowance scheme and the motorised transport grant scheme has been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47869/13]
View answerWritten answers
Conscious of the position of the Ombudsman that the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes were illegal in the context of the Equal Status Acts, both schemes were closed to new recipients on the 26th February earlier this year. 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. The Motorised Transport Grant scheme remains closed.
The Inter-Departmental group was asked to develop detailed proposals for the operation of a new scheme or schemes, including eligibility criteria and administrative arrangements, and to report back to Government. The Group has submitted initial proposals to the Minister for consideration.
The Inter-Department group includes senior officials from the Departments of Taoiseach, Health, Social Protection, Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Environment, Justice and Equality, Transport, the Office of the Attorney General and the National Disability Authority. The group has met on 8 occasions.
The Government is very conscious of the needs of people with a disability and in particular the Government has a clear policy to support, subject to the resources available to it, the independence of people with disabilities. All of these matters will be taken into consideration when making a decision on future arrangements.
National Substance Misuse Strategy
Questions (437)
Dara Calleary
Question:437. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the action plan submission following the report of the steering group on a national substance misuse strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47870/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Government recently approved an extensive package of measures to deal with alcohol misuse to be incorporated in a Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. These measures are based on the recommendations contained in the National Substance Misuse Strategy report 2012. The package of measures to be implemented will include provision for: minimum unit pricing for alcohol products; the regulation of advertising and marketing of alcohol; structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets; health labelling of alcohol products; and regulation of sports sponsorship.
Work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (438)
Billy Kelleher
Question:438. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason a person's mortgage is no longer used as an expense when assessing means for a medical card; if he will reconsider this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47872/13]
View answerWritten answers
Outgoings in respect of mortgage costs against the principal family home are an allowable expense for a means tested medical card under the Medical Card/GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines.
The assessment allows the full weekly/monthly mortgage payment secured against the principal family home and the following outgoings: mortgage protection premium; life assurance premium in relation to mortgage protection; fire and contents insurance premium.
Evidence of payment of all of the above outgoings must be provided by the applicant and documentary evidence from the mortgage provider as to the purpose of the mortgage may be requested from the applicant from time to time. If a mortgage is in respect of second house, holiday home abroad etc., then this will be allowed for assessment purposes, as set out above, but the value of the property or rental income will be assessed as income in accordance with the guidelines.
Medical card and GP visit card eligibility under the scheme for persons aged 70 or older is solely based on an assessment of gross income. If a person aged 70 or older is assessed ineligible under this scheme, he/she may also have their eligibility assessed under the general scheme of net income assessment to include allowable outgoing expenses, such as mortgage costs. The qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are different to the over -70's gross income limits.
National Strategy on Dementia Implementation
Questions (439)
Derek Keating
Question:439. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health his plans to develop a national strategy for dementia following the tragic deaths of elderly residents; his views on whether this is an increasing problem for the primary care services with in excess of 40,000 people diagnosed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47877/13]
View answerWritten answers
The programme for Government contains a commitment to develop a National Alzheimer’s and other dementias strategy to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and ensure development of enhanced community based services.
A significant amount of preparatory work has already been completed. A research review funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies, titled Creating Excellence in Dementia Care, A Research Review for Ireland’s National Dementia Strategy, was published in January 2012. A public consultation process to inform the development of the Strategy was conducted in 2012 and a report of same published on the Department’s website in February 2013.
A Working Group, representative of key stakeholders from the Department, the HSE, the medical profession and the community and voluntary sector has been established to assist in developing the Strategy and meetings of this Group are on-going.
While the development of the Strategy will have to have due regard to the constraints imposed by the budgetary situation, it is intended that it will be a transformative Strategy. It will have a very practical focus, will be action oriented and will focus on what can be done to make a difference to the lives of people with dementia. The development of the Strategy is at an advanced stage and it is intended that it will be published in Q1 2014.
Medical Card Appeals
Questions (440)
Tom Fleming
Question:440. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card appeal in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47900/13]
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.
Medical Card Appeals
Questions (441)
Billy Kelleher
Question:441. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to put a mechanism in place whereby persons who are going through the medical card review-appeals process will not be pressurised by the Health Service Executive or debt collection agencies acting on their behalf for payment of outstanding hospital debt when there is still a possibility they may be awarded their medical card; in the event of cards being awarded to persons, if he will ensure that these debts are removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47913/13]
View answerWritten answers
Persons (and their dependants, if applicable), who are the subject of a medical card eligibility review assessment, regardless of the expiry date on the card, will continue to have their eligibility extended pending the outcome of the review assessment, provided they have returned the review form within the time specified, and are engaging with the HSE in enabling their review assessment to complete.
The medical card/GP visit card holder does not need to take any action other than to genuinely co-operate with the review process and communicate with the HSE on an ongoing basis throughout the process.
Those who appeal a decision on their medical card/GP visit card eligibility retain their original eligibility until an appeal decision is issued.
Eligibility can be confirmed by any Doctor/Pharmacist/Public Hospital, or by the Medical Card holder on-line at www.medicalcard.ie or through the GP practice systems.
Medical Card Appeals
Questions (442)
Bernard Durkan
Question:442. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress in respect of an appeal for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47918/13]
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.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (443, 498)
Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Question:443. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the reason the couple allowance is not exactly double that of the single allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47956/13]
View answer
Michael Creed
Question:498. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Health the reason the eligibility criteria for a couple over 70 years for a medical card is no longer double that of the single applicant over 70 as was previous custom and practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48369/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 498 together.
The Government recognises that the living costs of an individual living alone are more than half the living costs of a couple living together and that expenditure does not necessarily diminish relative to the number of people in the household. This is recognised, inter alia, through the provision of the Living Alone Increase and differential income limits for medical cards for persons aged under 70 years between individuals and couples.
In that context, the over-70s income limit for a single person has been reduced proportionately less than the income limit for a couple.
Symphysiotomy Report
Questions (444, 472, 476, 486)
Brian Walsh
Question:444. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health the progress made in relation to the establishment of a redress scheme for survivors of symphysiotomy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47966/13]
View answer
Gerry Adams
Question:472. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the date on which he will publish the second part of the report by Professor Oonagh Walsh into symphysiotomy; when the Government's recommendations will be published; when he intends to appoint a judge; the way he intends to progress this issue and bring justice to the sufferers of symphysiotomy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48189/13]
View answer
Michael McCarthy
Question:476. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health when he will appoint a judge in respect of women affected by symphysiotomy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48205/13]
View answer
Seán Fleming
Question:486. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in dealing with the persons who had symphysiotomy procedures in hospitals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48273/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 444, 472, 476 and 486 together.
I received the independent report by Professor Oonagh Walsh on Symphysiotomy in Ireland at the end of May 2013. I met the three support groups representing the women concerned in August 2013. At that meeting, I proposed to appoint a judge to meet with the women in order to facilitate decisions on how best to bring closure for the women concerned.
My officials are actively considering this issue and I intend bringing proposals to Government in the coming weeks. I intend to publish the Walsh report when I have received Government approval regarding how best to proceed in relation to this issue.
My priority continues to be to ensure that the women who have had this procedure have their health needs comprehensively and professionally met. In this regard, the HSE provides a range of services to women who may be experiencing any adverse effects as a result of undergoing this procedure. These services include the provision of medical cards, the availability of independent clinical advice and the organisation of individual pathways of care and the arrangement of appropriate follow-up.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (445)
Tom Fleming
Question:445. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and award a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47976/13]
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.
Nursing Home Services
Questions (446)
Robert Troy
Question:446. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the double bariatric bed, shower chair and zimmer frame are transferred to Portiuncula Nursing Home without further delay as a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is waiting to be admitted to this nursing home as their fair deal and actual bed is now in doubt due to the long delays. [47981/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services Staff Remuneration
Questions (447)
Brian Stanley
Question:447. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Laois along with nine fellow employees who work for the Health Service Executive in Portlaoise Regional Hospital did not receive the acting up allowance from June 2007 to August 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47985/13]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Consultancy Contracts Issues
Questions (448)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:448. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the action he will take in cases where it appears that some hospital consultants are exceeding the allowed 20% to 30% private practice; the impact this has on public hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47993/13]
View answerWritten answers
The effective management of the terms of Consultant Contract 2008 is a key element in ensuring that the resources of hospitals are devoted primarily to the care of public patients.
Public hospitals are involved in a number of initiatives to improve access for patients and monitor waiting lists. A range of measures including the Common Waiting List, Special Delivery Unit and the Outpatient Services Performance Improvement Programme are on an ongoing basis working to manage and eliminate waiting lists and improve patient access.
Implementation of Consultant Contract 2008 is a matter for the HSE in the first instance. The Contract sets out clear rules on the permitted ratios of public-private practice and the measures to ensure that these provisions are complied with. Depending on contract type, a consultant may have no access to private practice (Type A contract holders), a cap of 20% private activity for newly appointed consultants (Type B) or a cap of up to 30% in the case of certain existing consultants. Under the Public Service Agreement, following negotiations at the LRC in September 2012, health service employers and the consultant representative bodies agreed a range of measures to support improved patient care, including a renewed commitment to consultant compliance with the limits on private practice activity.
The HSE has confirmed that compliance with permitted private practice levels continues to be monitored at hospital level and that the relevant provisions of the contract may be applied in cases where a consultant breaches the permitted ratio and does not take the necessary steps to bring his/her private practice back into line with the permitted level.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (449)
Tom Fleming
Question:449. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will issue discretionary medical cards to all children with long-term medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Down's syndrome, cancer and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47997/13]
View answerWritten answers
Under Section 45 of the Health Act 1970, as amended, persons who are unable, without due hardship, to arrange a general practitioner service for themselves or their family qualify for a medical card. There is no automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons with a specific illness or disability.
Under this legislation, the determination of eligibility for a medical card is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Section 45 requires the HSE to have regard to a person's, and their spouse or partner's overall financial situation in view of their reasonable expenditure. The HSE gives effect to this legislation and Government policy through its Medical Card National Assessment Guidelines.
Where a person's income is in excess of the income thresholds set out in the National Assessment Guidelines, the HSE uses its discretion to grant a medical card to a person who is unable, due to undue hardship, to arrange a GP service. In doing so, the HSE is obliged to have regard to the financial situation and expenditure of the individual and his or her dependents.
The HSE has an effective system in place for the provision of emergency medical cards for patients who are terminally ill in palliative care, or who are seriously ill and in urgent need of medical care that they cannot afford. They are issued within twenty-four hours of receipt of the required patient details and the letter of confirmation of the condition from a doctor or a medical consultant. With the exception of terminally ill patients in palliative care, the HSE issues all emergency cards on the basis that the patient is eligible for a medical card on the basis of means or undue hardship, and that the applicant will follow up with a full application within a number of weeks of receiving the emergency card. As a result, emergency medical cards are issued to a named individual, with a limited eligibility period of six months.
For persons with a terminal illness in palliative care, no means test applies. Once the terminal illness is verified, patients are given an emergency medical card for six months. Given the nature and urgency of the issue, the HSE has appropriate escalation routes to ensure that the person gets the card as quickly as possible.
The Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework. As announced in the Budget, it has been decided to commence the roll-out of a universal GP service by providing all children aged 5 and under with access to a GP service without fees. This will mean that almost half of the population will have access to GP services without fees. The Government is providing new, additional funding of €37 million to meet the cost of this measure.
The implementation of this measure will require primary legislation. The necessary administrative arrangements will be made during the course of 2014, when the specifics of the legislation are known.
The introduction of a universal GP service constitutes a fundamental element in the Government's health reform programme. The current Government is the first in the history of the State to have committed itself to implementing a universal GP service for the entire population. A well functioning health system should provide equal access to health care for its patients on the basis of health needs, rather than ability to pay. The principles of universality and equity of access mean that all residents in Ireland should be entitled to access a GP services that is free at the point of use.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (450)
Tom Fleming
Question:450. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite and award a medical card review in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47998/13]
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.
Tobacco Control Measures
Questions (451)
Charles Flanagan
Question:451. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that officials of his Department will meet and consult representatives of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association on the matter of the sale, distribution and control of tobacco products in the context of current and proposed public health policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48003/13]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, the 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.
In order to implement the actions outlined in Tobacco Free Ireland, my Department will be developing an action plan. As part of this process, officials will be engaging with all appropriate stakeholders.