Written Answers Nos. 204-209
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Written Answers Nos. 204-209
204. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a primary care paediatrics occupational therapy appointment will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14548/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
205. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding medical cards for persons with Down's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14563/14]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. The Act provides that persons who are unable, without undue hardship, to arrange GP services for themselves and family can qualify for a medical card. The HSE can only award medical cards in accordance with the Health Act and, therefore, it must assess applicants on the overall financial situation of the applicant and his or her spouse or partner. The HSE gives effect to this legislation through its Medical Card National Assessment Guidelines.
The HSE is obliged to operate within the legal parameters as set out in the Health Act, while also responding to the variety of circumstances and complexities faced by individuals who apply for a medical card.
Under the legislation, there is no entitlement to a medical card based on having a particular disease or illness (nor has there been previously). However, if an applicant’s means are above the financial thresholds as set out in the national guidelines, the HSE routinely examines for indications of medical or social circumstances which might result in undue financial hardship in arranging medical services and, exercising discretion, may grant eligibility for a medical card on this basis. Where persons submit an application, as a new applicant or a renewal/review, without additional medical documentation and are refused, they will receive a letter giving a calculation of the guideline thresholds and where these have been exceeded. Also, at this stage, they are informed of the option to furnish further medical documentation, to demonstrate medical expenditure related to an illness or disease, in support of their application.
Where discretion is exercised with regard to an applicant with an illness or disease, it is the medical costs of that condition on a person's financial situation that is relevant to the assessment for a medical card. In accordance with the legislation, it is not possible to award a medical card by virtue of an illness or a disease or the severity thereof.
Down’s Syndrome is covered under the Long Term Illness Scheme for which entitlement applies, irrespective of means. Where persons with Down’s Syndrome are not eligible for a medical card following an assessment of their means, the HSE can provide their full requirements in respect of prescribed medicines and appliances free of charge through this statutory entitlement. Public dental, ophthalmic and aural treatment and appliances are also available free of charge to children and in respect of any difficulties identified at child health or school health examinations.
207. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the implications of the EU working time directive and subsequent Irish legislation for Irish residential care staff; if time spent on call while working in residential care facilities overnight is considered working time for the purposes of the legislation; if not, the reason for same; if workers on such duties are entitled to receive the minimum wage during overnight duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14568/14]
View answerThe Haddington Road Agreement provides for a process of negotiation under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission in relation to this matter in respect of staff working in residential care settings. Following a referral to the Labour Court in early 2014, it was agreed that the matter should be referred back to the Labour Relations Commission for completion of discussions by 31 May 2014. A series of meetings is scheduled to take place in March and April involving my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, Service Providers and the Trade Unions representing the employees.
208. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the number of persons waiting for colonoscopies in each hospital for less than three months, more than three and less than six months, more than six and less than nine months, more than nine and less than 12 months and greater than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14569/14]
View answerIn relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that his Department continues to keep the policy of water fluoridation in place despite serious health concerns regarding this policy, if there will be a specific working group set up to look at the matter of water fluoridation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14574/14]
View answerThere are no plans to set up a specific working group on water fluoridation. The Department of Health keeps the policy of water fluoridation under constant review. As part of this ongoing work, a review of evidence on the impact of water fluoridation at its current level on the health of the population and on the environment is being conducted by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department. This review is due to commence in April 2014 and will be completed by December 2014.
The Department is also collaborating in a University College Cork-led research project, "Fluoride and Caring for Children's Teeth" (FACCT). The study will consider the impact of changes on the oral health of children, following policy decisions relating to toothpaste use by infants and young children made in 2002 and the reduction in the level of fluoridation in drinking water introduced in 2007. In addition, a study on general and oral health findings in adults linked to the duration of exposure to fluoridated water as part of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (TILDA) which has commenced its pilot phase.
The Forum on Fluoridation, established in 2000, reviewed the policy of water fluoridation and recommended in 2002 that it should continue as a public health measure. In 2011 a review by the European Union Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risk (SCHER) concluded that there are no known negative health implications from fluoridating water at levels used in the EU. The balance of scientific evidence worldwide confirms that water fluoridation, i.e. the adjustment of the natural concentration of fluoride in drinking water to the optimal recommended level for the prevention of dental caries, does not cause any ill effects and protects the oral health of the population.
