Billy Kelleher
Question:330. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when the single assessment tool for older people services was rolled out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54775/13]
View answerNursing Homes Support Scheme Oversight
Questions (330, 331)
Billy Kelleher
Question:331. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the findings of the review of the fair deal scheme to assess its applicability to other sectors such as the disability and mental health residential sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54776/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 331 together.
The first phase of implementation of the Single Assessment Tool (SAT) will commence in 2014 with a minimum of 50% of all new entries to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, Home Care Package and Home Help Schemes assessed by the SAT in the last quarter of 2014, with full implementation of SAT by the end of 2015.
Work on the review of the Nursing Home Support Scheme is on-going. It is expected that the review will be completed in early 2014 and the report will be made available as soon as possible.
Palliative Care Services
Questions (332)
Billy Kelleher
Question:332. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the prospective funding model for palliative care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54777/13]
View answerWritten answers
In line with recommendations contained in Future Health - A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 - 2015,the HSE is currently working on a Prospective Funding Model for Palliative Care which will assist in integrating and accounting for palliative care across all funding streams and delivery models.
An Expert Group on Prospective Funding in Palliative Care was established in May 2012, to produce a report with recommendations about the development of a Prospective Funding Model for Palliative Care for the consideration of the HSE and the Department of Health. The Group is chaired by Professor Charles Normand, Professor of Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin, and includes a representative of my Department.
To date the Group has:
- identified and agreed on a model for effective stakeholder collaboration which includes agreement on a high level strategic vision and direction;
- produced a draft report outlining the best practice model of palliative care provision to be considered in the funding model;
- reviewed international approaches to palliative care funding.
I have asked the HSE for an update on the latest position and will furnish this to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.
Disabilities Services Funding
Questions (333)
Billy Kelleher
Question:333. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health with regard to the move towards a person-centred model of services and supports for disability services, when the initiation of demonstration projects as proof of concept commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54778/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services (VFM Review) which I published in 2012 envisaged that migration to the person centred model would be by means of demonstration projects, developed as proof of concept, and run in parallel with current services, following which their suitability for wider application would be evaluated.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) and disability agencies are already working on demonstration projects at locations throughout the country aimed at giving service users greater choice and control. A significant number of the projects underway show how aspects of the new policy will work in practice and will provide a substantial contribution towards the transition to the new model of person-centred supports. These projects initiated by a range of service providers with the support of the HSE and Genio involve many different aspects of a more person-centred way of delivering day and residential services. An analysis of the projects will commence towards the end of 2014 to determine their wider applicability, clarify the issues which must be resolved before the projects can be scaled up, and identify the best way forward.
A total of 110 demonstration projects have been grant-aided by a non-profit organisation, the Genio Trust,with funding provided by the HSE, during the period 2010 – 2013 broken down as follows:
|
Year: |
Number of Projects: |
Total amount awarded: |
|
2010 |
31 |
€2,150,456 |
|
2011 |
10 |
€1,063,976 |
|
2012 |
42 |
€5,428,170 |
|
2013 |
27 |
€2,370,496 |
The grants have been targeted in the following areas:
Projects to move/keep people out of institutional care by supporting them to live as independently as possible in the community, resulting in institutional closure;
Active integration of people with disabilities into mainstream work, third level education and leisure activities;
Measures to strengthen and build networks of support comprising family, friends and neighbours offering alternative respite;
Empowerment of people with disabilities to take control of their own lives and strengthening of strategic advocacy particularly on the part of people with disabilities.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (334)
John O'Mahony
Question:334. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was suspended in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54787/13]
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.
Mobility Allowance Review
Questions (335)
Terence Flanagan
Question:335. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the roll-out of the scheme that is to replace the former mobility grant for persons with physical disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54788/13]
View answerWritten answers
The Government has decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions will be progressed as a priority by the Minister for Health in consultation with other relevant Ministers.
Payments will continue to be made by the Health Service Executive to current recipients of the Mobility Allowance for a further period, pending decisions on the new statutory scheme.
The Government is aware of the needs of people with a disability relying on individual payments which contribute to choice and independence and will take all of this into consideration when making a decision on the detail of the new scheme.
The existing position regarding Motorised Transport Grant remains as before i.e. the scheme remains closed. This matter will be considered further at a later date.
Medical Card Appeals
Questions (336)
Bernard Durkan
Question:336. 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. [54801/13]
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.
Health Services Staff Recruitment
Questions (337, 338)
Damien English
Question:337. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health if he will evaluate the prospects of the moratorium on recruitment being lifted for the Health Service Executive's optometry service for children in primary schools, so that clinical staff can be employed to treat children assessed at school and placed on a treatment waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54807/13]
View answerDamien English
Question:338. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health his plans to alleviate the waiting list for follow on treatment for children that have been screened at primary school and have been placed on the waiting list for optometry services by the Health Service Executive specifically in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54808/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 337 and 338 together.
The reduction in size of the public service has been an essential component of the approach to addressing the State’s fiscal difficulties. This has been combined with a firm focus on improving public service efficiency and effectiveness. The Haddington Road Agreement provides for some five million additional working hours annually. These measures will enable the health service to continue to reduce overall numbers, while maintaining services and service levels to the greatest possible extent.
The Health Service Executive provides a sight testing service as part of the school health screening programme for children of primary school age. The screening service is provided by public health nurses and area medical officers. Children who are identified as requiring treatment or intervention are referred to the HSE ophthalmic service for follow up. Urgent cases are given priority and less urgent cases are dealt with as quickly as possible. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the issue of optometry services in Co. Meath.
Hospital Consultants Contract Issues
Questions (339, 340, 341)
Patrick Nulty
Question:339. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if any hospital has recouped money from hospital consultants who have exceeded the permitted 20:30 private practice ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54809/13]
View answerPatrick Nulty
Question:340. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the hospitals that have recouped money from hospital consultants who have exceeded the permitted 20:30 private practice ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54810/13]
View answerPatrick Nulty
Question:341. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the amount of money each hospital has recouped from consultants who have exceeded the permitted 20:30 private practice ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54811/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 to 341, inclusive, together.
As these are service issues, the questions raised have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (342)
Micheál Martin
Question:342. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if the claim on 20 November 2013 that some 20,000 new discretionary medical cards have been granted this year alone is correct; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54812/13]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE has confirmed that, at that time referred to by the Deputy, discretion has been exercised in a positive way on more than 20,000 occasions in granting medical card eligibility.
Medical Card Data
Questions (343, 344, 346, 349)
Kevin Humphreys
Question:343. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the number of non-means tested medical cards that are currently allocated to EU citizens over the age of 60 years under EU Regulation 883/04; if he will provide a breakdown by nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54818/13]
View answerKevin Humphreys
Question:344. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the number of non-means tested medical cards that are currently allocated to UK citizens in total, and over the age of 60 years respectively; the amount the PCRS or the Health Service Executive was reimbursed for these in 2012 and 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54819/13]
View answerKevin Humphreys
Question:346. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health further to the Health Service Executive reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 226 and 227 of 6 March 2013, in what way is the information or data relating to non-means tested medical cards for EU citizens over the age of 60 who qualify under EU Regulation 883/04 recorded by the PCRS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54821/13]
View answerKevin Humphreys
Question:349. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the number of Irish citizens that have non-means tested medical cards under EU Regulation 883/04 due to entitlements earned in other EU countries, inclusive and exclusive of the UK respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54824/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 343, 344, 346 and 349 together.
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, I have asked the Health Service Executive to supply this information to me and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.