Tuesday, 19 Nov 2013

Written Answers Nos. 664-685

Medical Card Appeals

Questions (664)

Tom Fleming

Question:

664. 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. [49107/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 Provision

Questions (665)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

665. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when an appointment for an occupational therapist will be organised in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49112/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Appeals

Questions (666)

Tom Fleming

Question:

666. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49113/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Water Fluoridation

Questions (667)

Michael Lowry

Question:

667. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an assurance that tap water is safe for use in the making up of babies' bottles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49123/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Water fluoridation is the adjustment of the natural concentration of fluoride in drinking water to the optimal recommended level for the prevention of dental caries. The Irish Expert Body on Fluorides and Health, established in 2004, continuously monitors new and emerging issues on fluoride and its effects. The Expert Body and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland advise that there is no significant evidence of any adverse effects to the health of infants consuming infant formula made up with fluoridated tap water. I am unaware of any EU Ambassadors in this country advising their nationals not to use tap water in the making of infant formula. Fluoride concentrations in Irish tap water pose no known medical problems either for infants or for the population in general.

The Expert Body advises that the balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, at the optimal level, does not cause any ill effects and protects the oral health of the population. The opinion of the Expert Body is supported by major international scientifically validated reviews. The effects of fluoride on health and related matters are kept under constant review.

Hospital Charges

Questions (668)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

668. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who should have a medical card will be exempted from hospital charges recently incurred by them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49138/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

HSE Properties

Questions (669)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

669. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the building which has, since 1979, been home to the Kilmuckridge Family Resource Centre in County Wexford is currently for sale on the open market; if he will immediately intervene to reverse the decision by the Health Service Executive to sell the building; if he will provide assurances that the future of Kilmuckridge Family Resource Centre is secure; the steps he will take to ensure that this is the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49182/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Management of the healthcare property portfolio is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Motorised Transport Grant Applications

Questions (670)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

670. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22 who applied for the motorised transport grant in 2012 has not yet received a decision on their application. [49186/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Health Insurance Issues

Questions (671)

Michael McGrath

Question:

671. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if there is ongoing contact with the European authorities concerning the future of the VHI; if he plans to provide an injection of funds for VHI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49193/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Government agreed in December 2011 to address the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling of September 2011 and to have my Department work with the VHI in its application process for authorisation by the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI). Officials from my Department, the VHI and the CBI continue to to engage regularly to progress this application.

Department officials are also in regular contact with the DG Internal Market and Services in relation to addressing the ECJ judgment and with DG Competition regarding related State Aid issues and in addressing an alleged unlimited State guarantee.

The Government will make a decision on capitalisation of the VHI when the CBI has determined the amount of any capital requirements and the EU Commission has approved a capital injection under State aid rules.

Hospital Services

Questions (672)

Dominic Hannigan

Question:

672. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there are no plans to alter services in Navan hospital in the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49212/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Report on the Establishment of Hospital Groups, which I launched on 14 May, is the most fundamental reform of the Irish acute hospital system in decades. The introduction of Hospital Groups will provide for organisational change in the first instance, giving more autonomy and better enabling the reorganisation of services in a well-planned manner. Over time, this will help to improve services and deliver better outcomes for patients. The Smaller Hospitals Framework, which will be implemented in the context of the Hospital Groups, defines the role of the smaller hospital and role of smaller hospitals within the Group and outlines in detail the wide range of services that can be provided within the smaller hospital and that can be transferred from the larger to smaller hospitals within the hospital group.

Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, is part of the Dublin East Hospital Group. The reforms outlined above can be expected to result in change at Our Lady's Hospital, Navan and, indeed, at most if not all hospitals across all Groups. However, Navan, as with all hospitals, will play a significant role in its Group in providing sustainable, safe and effective care at the appropriate level of complexity. The provision of services at Navan and all other hospitals will be examined in the context of Strategic Plans to be developed by each Hospital Group. The development of Strategic Plans will afford an opportunity for the challenges and opportunities of service reconfiguration to be fully considered. Strategic Plans will be prepared in the context of an overarching policy framework to be developed by my Department, and their preparation will afford an opportunity for all hospitals in a Group to work together to address the opportunities and challenges of service reorganisation.

Pension Provisions

Questions (673)

John McGuinness

Question:

673. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive continues to stop €71.45 from pension payments being made to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [49217/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Medical Card Applications

Questions (674)

John McGuinness

Question:

674. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [49221/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Hospital Appointment Status

Questions (675)

Robert Troy

Question:

675. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied). [49247/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (676)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

676. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 17 October if the drugs advisory group has met since his response or if a meeting has been scheduled. [49261/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Deputy will be aware that I announced details of a series of measures last December arising from a review of Drugs Task Forces in order to better equip them to respond to the current pattern of substance misuse. These measures included the extension of the remit of the Task Forces to include alcohol addiction and the establishment of a National Coordinating Committee for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces to replace the Drugs Advisory Group. I met with representatives of the Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces on 15 November last to outline my plans for implementing the review, and in this regard I confirmed that the first meeting of the National Co-ordinating Committee will be held on 23 January 2014.

Commencement of Legislation

Questions (677)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

677. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1213 of 5 November 2013, if he will detail the complete list of operational issues that need to be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49269/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I wish to advise the Deputy that the operational issues due to be addressed are those required to give effect to Chapter 2 of the Act in relation to the formal clinical review process.

HSE Expenditure

Questions (678)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

678. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason health capital net voted expenditure was €99 million, 32.9% behind profile at the end of October 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49276/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the HSE's voted expenditure the HSE stated that while capital expenditure was under profile, the Executive expected that this expenditure would increase by year end as was the case in previous years.

My Department's capital expenditure is traditionally drawn down in the last months of the year.

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (679)

Gerry Adams

Question:

679. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the Health Service Executive's plans for ambulance cover in County Louth; the number of ambulances available in County Louth in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; if his attention has been drawn to to the fact that ambulance cover in County Louth has on days dropped by 50%; if a risk assessment has been carried out following the National Ambulance Service's decision to remove an ambulance service in the north east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49277/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Prescription Policy

Questions (680)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

680. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive has requested general practitioners to limit the prescribing of benzodiazepines to medical card patients in particular; the reason behind such a request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49326/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Benzodiazepines, as a group of medicines, are commonly used to treat anxiety, sleep disturbance and insomnia. They are known to be associated with dependence and withdrawal symptoms and consequently are primarily recommended for short-term treatment only. There is evidence of their inappropriate use in Ireland. The HSE through the Primary Care Reimbursement Service captures information on the prescribing of benzodiazepines under the GMS and Community Drug Schemes.

The HSE has developed and made available an on-line report which enables General Practitioners (GPs) to access their personal prescribing of benzodiazepines on a monthly basis and also benchmark their own prescribing against their peers. This is standardized for gender and age of the GP's panel. All contracted GPs have access to the website and the majority are active users. To further assist GPs, snapshots of the level of prescribing of benzodiazepines and z-drugs were taken in November 2011, March 2012 and November 2012. Three pieces of information were subsequently provided to GPs: the prescribing frequency of benzodiazepines and z-drugs standardised for gender/panel profile, the number of patients presenting prescriptions for periods of more than 3, 6 and 12 months; and a pictorial representation of their individual prescribing against the national profile.

The HSE does not have a complete picture of benzodiazepine prescribing for GPs who do not hold GMS contracts nor for non GMS patients whose prescription costs do not reach the DPS copayment threshold. Thus, the data disseminated to GPs is in respect of Medical Card patients only.

Health Insurance Levy

Questions (681)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

681. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the specific factors that caused him to increase the risk equalisation levy on health insurance that he announced on 12 November; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49340/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Each year, at my request, the Health Insurance Authority (HIA) prepares the Report of The Health Insurance Authority to the Minister for Health, in accordance with Section 7E (1)(b) of the Health Insurance Acts, 1994 – 2012. The Authority submitted its most recent report to me in October 2013. These Reports set out the HIA’s evaluation and analysis of information returns supplied by insurers, their analysis of market issues and, arising from their expert analysis, the Authority's recommendations for Risk Equalisation Credits and associated Stamp Duty to apply for the following year.

In setting the rates for Risk Equalisation Credits, following consultation with the Minister for Finance, I must have regard to the Principal Objective of the Health Insurance Act (as amended), which is to ensure that access to private health insurance cover is available to everyone and they are charged the same premium for a particular health insurance plan, irrespective of age, gender and the current or likely future state of their health. I must also have regard to the aims of:

- avoiding overcompensation of registered undertakings or former undertakings,

- maintaining the sustainability of the private health insurance market,

- having fair and open competition in the market and

- avoiding the Risk Equalisation Fund having a surplus or deficit from year to year.

Having examined the HIA report and considered the views of my Department's Officials and its actuarial advisors, which includes other relevant market factors, I announced changes to the risk equalisation credits that will apply in the private health insurance market with effect from 1st March next. My Department, in consultation with the HIA, will publish a redacted version of the Report in due course.

Departmental Bodies Expenditure

Questions (682)

Gerry Adams

Question:

682. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the budget for SafeFood for the years 2010 to date in 2013; and any proposed budget reductions to these bodies currently being considered. [49350/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Details of the Food Safety Promotion Board's (FSPB/safefood) budget for the years in question are as follows:

2010 - €9.522m

2011 - €8.5m

2012 - €8.5m

2013 - €8.5m

Efficiency savings of 12%, to be achieved by the end of 2016, have been agreed by the Finance Departments North and South. These will result in a reduction of approximately 4% for each of the years 2014 to 2016.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (683)

Finian McGrath

Question:

683. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [49359/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Hospital Investigations

Questions (684, 685)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

684. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange for an inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [49360/13]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

685. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will reply to the correspondence (details supplied) in County Dublin. [49361/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 684 and 685 together.

I would like in the first instance to offer my sympathies to the family involved in this tragic case, who met with officials of my Department in December 2011.

I am advised that the hospital is near completion of its investigation of the case and that an initial report will be provided before the end of this year. A definitive final report will be provided in early 2014. The investigation has been dealt with by the HSE using its Incident Investigation Process. There has been ongoing and significant contact with the family throughout the investigation.

In advance of the completion of the investigation, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.