Wednesday, 12 Mar 2014

Written Answers Nos. 223 - 229

Departmental Records

Questions (223)

Noel Harrington

Question:

223. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide to an applicant a tracking service for all applications to his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department from members of the public for such items as medical cards licences and grants and other applications processed by his Department similar to the passport applications tracking scheme processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12356/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have no immediate plans to introduce such a system in my Department but the need for such a system is kept under review. I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy. For other bodies under the aegis of my Department, this is an operational matter and as such a matter for the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar.

Questions Nos. 224 and 225 answered with Question No. 189.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Questions (226)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

226. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a reassessment of care needs assessment for a nursing home support scheme applicant will be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12365/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Ministerial Meetings

Questions (227)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

227. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health the number of times he and officials in his Department have met a company (details supplied) or its representatives since he took office; if he will provide details, in tabular form, of the dates of each meeting; the names of the company representatives involved; the titles of the departmental officials involved; the reason for each meeting; the matters discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12374/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have not met this company or its representatives since I took office.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Eligibility

Questions (228)

John Deasy

Question:

228. Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide nursing home support to persons under the age of 65 years where the financial burden as presently required under the fair deal scheme will not leave spouses and children in dire financial need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12381/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy is aware, the Nursing Homes Support Scheme is currently being reviewed. The terms of reference for the review are:

Taking account of Government policy, demographic trends and the fiscal situation-

1. To examine the on-going sustainability of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme

2. To examine the overall cost of long term residential care in public and private nursing homes and the effectiveness of the current methods of negotiating/setting prices,

3. Having regard to 1 and 2 above, to consider the balance of funding between long-term residential care and community based services,

4. To consider the extension of the scheme to community based services and to other sectors (Disability and Mental Health), and

5. To make recommendations for the future operation and management of the Scheme.

The issue of dependent children will be examined in the context of the review.

It is expected that the review will be completed by Q2 2014. As the Scheme is statutory based, the implementation of any recommendations arising from the review may require amendments to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (229)

Noel Harrington

Question:

229. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health if he will amend the regulations regarding the income certificates required by the Health Service Executive before renewing or issuing medical cards in order that persons who are in receipt of a means tested payment from the Department of Social Protection do not need to submit a notice of assessment from the Revenue Commissioners stating that they have no income tax liability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12382/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

A person making an application for a medical card/GP visit card is subject to an assessment of eligibility in accordance with the Medical Card/GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines. The guidelines include a description of the documentary evidence that an applicant must provide in relation to each income type that the applicant, and his/her dependants, receives. The National Assessment Guidelines state that, for the purposes of an assessment of eligibility for a medical card/GP visit card, a person in receipt of an income from self employment must provide either:

- a Revenue Notice of Assessment as proof of income from this source, or if Revenue has determined that an income return for tax purposes is not necessary,

- a Non-Liable Notification Letter issued by Revenue in addition to a statement of the amount of income being received from this source.

A “Non-Liable Notification Letter” will typically issue by Revenue in cases where a very low income is being returned from the self-employment activity concerned. Such determination can only be made by Revenue when an income return is made to Revenue and they conduct an assessment of tax liability based on the return. For assistance with completing this form, the local offices of the Revenue Commissioners can be contacted or the website www.revenue.ie accessed.

The HSE local health offices can offer assistance to those completing their Medical Card/GP Visit Card application form or seek clarification on any aspect regarding the process of assessing eligibility for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card. In addition, in this regard, a help and information Callsave phone line 1890 252 919 is available to the public. It is advised that applicants should avail of this information helpline, where they have concerns regarding assessments and review. The HSE will give every assistance to persons that contact our offices, in advising and facilitating them in meeting the requirements to have their eligibility for a Medical Card/GP Visit Card fully assessed. If a person, the subject of a review assessment is engaging with our offices and has undertaken to provide the information being requested within period of time that is reasonable and agreed with the HSE, the HSE will extend that person’s medical card eligibility for the period agreed to allow the applicant time to provide the information required and allow an assessment be conducted based on this information.