Written Answers Nos. 173-78
173. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the amount of money the Health Service Executive and his Department have paid to a group (details supplied) in County Mayo under the section 39 grant for 2009 to 2013, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5769/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
174. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the funding received by an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 5 from his Department for the years 2011 to 2014, inclusive. [5772/14]
View answerDetails of funding provided to Dublin North East Local Drugs Task Force by my Department in the years referred to by the Deputy are set out in the following table. The figure specified in 2014 is the sum allocated to the Task Force by my Department, of which €211,126 has been paid in respect of January to June. I would also draw the attention of the Deputy to the fact that operational responsibility for 9 of the Task Force projects funded by my Department in 2013 was transferred to the HSE on 1 January 2014, under new arrangements designed to simplify the funding, accountability and monitoring framework of Local and Regional Drugs Task Force projects. The total allocation for the projects funded through the HSE comes to €594,836. This brings the Task Force's total allocation for community drugs projects in 2014 to €1,017,087.
|
Year |
Amount |
No. of Projects |
|
2011 |
€1,251,756.00 |
17 |
|
2012 |
€1,154,962.85 |
18 |
|
2013 |
€869,625.00 |
13 |
|
2013 |
€422,251.00 |
4 |
175. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health with regard to the recent VHI premium increases, when he was first informed of same; if he took any action to stop it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5775/14]
View answerThe recent VHI premium increases, at an average of 3%, are considerably lower than in previous years. This reflects my emphasis on the need for VHI and all health insurers to address their costs. I was notified shortly after the VHI Board agreed the increases. VHI is a commercial company operating in a competitive market and it makes its own commercial decisions about its prices. I have no legal power to intervene in this process.
I have consistently urged VHI and all private health insurers to do everything possible to keep down the cost of private health insurance so that it is as affordable for as many people as possible. Last year, I appointed Mr Pat McLoughlin to work with the insurance companies and my Department on an independent review process to identify effective cost management strategies to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the private health insurance market. The second phase of the report has commenced and will report within three months.
176. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be included in a methadone rehabilitation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5776/14]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not readily available to my Department. As this is a service matter, I have referred the Deputy's query to the HSE for direct reply.
177. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form, the financial allocation for each hospital in 2013 and in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5788/14]
View answerIn relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
178. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early appointment will be arranged at Waterford Regional Hospital in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [5796/14]
View answerA maximum waiting time target of 12 months has been set for a first time consultant-led outpatient appointment and this is reflected in the HSE Service Plan. The SDU and the NTPF are working closely with hospitals towards achievement of the maximum waiting time. In relation to the particular patient query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
