Written Answers Nos. 616-636
616. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the national dementia strategy will be published in 2013; if an allocation of funding has been made for the 2014 Estimate in order to allow implementation of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50406/13]
View answerThe 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.
Preparation of a draft Strategy is now at an advanced stage.
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 my Department, the HSE, the medical profession and the community and voluntary sector has been working for some time on the preparation of a draft Strategy for consideration by myself and Dr James Reilly TD, Minister for Health 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. It is intended that it will be published in Q1 2014.
617. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to publish the heads of the public health (alcohol) Bill prior to publication of the legislation; when he plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50436/13]
View answerWork is continuing on the drafting of the heads of bill for the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. A Memorandum for Government will be prepared, in the future, seeking approval for drafting the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill. Consideration will be given to publishing the General Scheme of the Bill at this stage.
618. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health his plans to implement the decision of Government on October 24 last concerning structural separation of alcohol products in mixed trading premises; the timeframe for replacing the current voluntary code with a statutory code under section 17 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011; if he will be engaging in consultation with public health bodies on the development of a statutory code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50437/13]
View answerMy Department and the Department of Justice have agreed a three step approach to provide for the structured separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets. The first step involves replacing the current voluntary code with a statutory code under Section 17 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011. This legislation empowers the Minister for Justice to prepare and publish or approve codes for the purpose of setting standards for the display, sale, supply, advertising, promotion or marketing of intoxicating liquor. My Department is working with the Department of Justice on this matter, and it is envisaged that the statutory code of practice will be finalised in the near future. The draft code will be published in order to allow those who may be affected by it to make representations.
619. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether a seven months waiting time is appropriate for an urgent pelvic ultrasound for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50440/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
620. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the current policy regarding the payment of the injury at work grant; if it is now the case that paramedic staff must exhaust sick leave before receiving social welfare only; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50453/13]
View answerAs this is an operational matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
621. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if he will consider ensuring that all children born with Down's syndrome are automatically entitled to medical cards from birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50496/13]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970, eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means and medical cards are not awarded to any particular group of patients on the basis of a specific medical condition. However, the HSE has discretion to grant a medical card in certain circumstances. Medical card applicants who are unsuccessful following the means assessment, but who indicate that they suffer from a medical condition, are then referred to the Medical Officer for consideration on a medical discretionary basis.
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 in 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 healthcare 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.
Question No. 622 withdrawn.
623. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if another visit from the home help organiser will be arranged with a view to increasing home help in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50499/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
625. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card will be examined in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; if an account of the Health Service Executive policy for assessing self-employed persons will be given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50530/13]
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.
626. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health if the reason for delayed scheduling of surgery at Crumlin Hospital for patients suffering from scoliosis is due to lack of funding; if additional funding could fast-track many of the pending operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50534/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
627. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will take responsibility for children who are suffering from narcolepsy following receiving the flu injection; if he will put supports in place to help these children with educational difficulties throughout their lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50539/13]
View answerThere are a number of supports in place for persons diagnosed with narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination. Both the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Skills are ensuring that those affected receive tailored assistance to address their individual needs.
The health supports include clinical care pathways to ensure access to rapid diagnosis and treatment, multi-disciplinary assessments led by clinical experts, counselling services for both the individuals and their families, discretionary medical cards for those who have been diagnosed have been provided to allow unlimited access to GP care and any prescribed medication, ex-gratia reimbursement of vouched expenses incurred in the process of diagnosis and treatment, including travel expenses for attending medical appointments; physiotherapy, occupational therapy assessments, dental assessments and dietary services all on a needs basis. Regional co-ordinators have been appointed to assist individuals to provide advice, information and access to local services.
On the education side, the National Educational Psychological Services (NEPS) engaged with all of the schools being attended by children with narcolepsy to provide guidance and assistance on the condition and the supports available. These include special education home tuition, the provision of supplemental learning support/resource teaching support on a needs basis and the provision of Special Needs Assistants (SNA) support if required. Furthermore, reasonable accommodations, including special examination centres and rest breaks were provided for students who sat state exams in last June. Similar arrangements will be available on a needs basis to students sitting state exams in future years. The Department of Education and Skills issued circulars providing information to schools on the nature, likely symptoms, possible effect of the condition of narcolepsy on students and the supports available for students.
With regard to third level, students diagnosed with narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination can access the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) scheme, which is a college/university scheme which offers enhanced access routes to third level education for pupils with special needs.
The HSE Advocacy Unit is in regular contact with individuals affected and regularly meet representatives of the SOUND (sufferers of unique narcolepsy disorder), the last meeting was held in August 2013. I have also met with representatives of SOUND on two occasions to discuss their needs. Furthermore the Chief Medical Officer and officials from my Department, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills have met with SOUND a number of times, including yesterday to address issues of concern.
All health and educational services and supports are provided on a needs basis and are reassessed on an on-going basis to take account of changes in the individuals condition and circumstances.
628. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the ambulance service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50540/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
629. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the reason behind cutting the Health Service Executive transport service for patients attending appointments in other hospitals; the amount in savings his Department is making in this cut; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this greatly affects the elderly community who with only their pensions as income cannot afford the fares being offered by private wheelchair accessible taxi services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50546/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
630. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if nursing home fees are taken into consideration when assessing medical card applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50572/13]
View answerAssessment for eligibility for an over -70s medical /GP visit card is based on gross income only. The general Medical Card/GP Visit scheme assesses medical card/GP visit card eligibility based on an applicant(s) net assessable household income less assessable outgoing expenses. The general scheme is not age dependant and is open to persons of all ages ordinarily resident in the state. The medical card/GP visit card qualifying income limits under the general scheme are lower than those under the over-70s scheme. Under the general scheme of assessment, the full weekly cost of Nursing Home care, less any amount the HSE pays toward this cost, is an allowable outgoing expense. If persons aged 70 or older are assessed as ineligible under the over-70s income thresholds, they may be assessed under the general scheme of assessment to include any allowable outgoing expenses, such as nursing home fees.
631. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the National Treatment Purchase Fund will publish its national waiting list data for September 2013; the reason it remained unpublished as of 20 November 2013 in view of the fact that the August 2013 waiting list data were published three weeks into September; if he will direct that a separate September report be published and that there be no repeat of the situation that arose with regard to July when no separate waiting list data were published for that month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50574/13]
View answerThe September 2013 NTPF performance report and waiting list datasets were published on 21 November 2013. This was to enable both the NTPF September reports and HSE Performance Report for September 2013 to be published at the same time. Both sets of reports will be published at the same time in future. As indicated to the Deputy on 5 November 2013, the July dataset is in fact available on the website for National Trend Analysis of Waiting Times.
632. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by patients in Tallaght Hospital who are waiting for an appointment with an ophthalmologist; the average waiting time for an appointment; the number of patients currently waiting for an appointment in this hospital; the reason for the lengthy delays; and his plans to resolve this issue. [50582/13]
View answerIn relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
633. 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. [50590/13]
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.
634. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason up to 100 operations and-or appointments were cancelled in the eye clinic in Waterford Regional Hospital in the past few weeks; the reason for the cancellations; when will these appointments be rescheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50598/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
635. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the process employed by the Health Service Executive for allocating private transport contracts, including patient transport contracts, in the Roscommon area; if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount spent on these services in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the contractors employed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50630/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
636. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 has had their essential life-saving operation postponed at very short notice; and if he will confirm when this operation will take place. [50632/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
