Written Answers Nos. 561-583
561. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if he will outline all fees and allowances applicable to GPs, including those not included in the GMS scheme; if he will provide a breakdown of the cost of each fee/allowance per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15977/14]
View answerThe HSE pays fees and allowances to GPs under a range of schemes. The current rates of payment are set out in the following Regulations:
S.I. 277/2013 - Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to General Practitioners) Regulations 2013, which came into effect on 24th July 2013;
S.I. 278/2013 - Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments to General Practitioners) (National Immunisation Programmes) Regulations 2013, which came into effect on 24th July 2013;
S.I. 510/2010 - Health Professionals (Reduction of Payments in respect of Services under the National Cervical Screening Programme) Regulations 2010, which came into effect on 29th October 2010.
Payments are also made to certain GPs in relation to opioid substitution treatment (predominantly methadone). GPs undergo specific training, organised by the HSE, through the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), in order to provide methadone services to opioid dependent individuals. There are two levels of training:
Level 1 GPs may only treat stabilised patients;
Level 2 GPs may initiate treatment and can provide services to a greater number of opioid dependant patients.
The HSE pays Level 1 GPs €159.97 per client per month for opioid substitution treatment and Level 2 GPs are paid €176.43 per client per month. GPs who provide opioid substitution treatment in clinics are paid €71.50 per hour.
As the breakdown of the cost of every fee/allowance per annum is not routinely provided to the Department by the HSE, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on these matters. However, much of the information for 2012 (with the exception of the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme) is available in the Primary Care Reimbursement Service's (PCRS) most recently published report, Statistical Analysis of Claims and Payments 2012 (pages 9 and 72). This is available online at:
http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/PCRS/PCRS_Publications/PCRSannreport12.pdf
562. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding mental health nursing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15980/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
563. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the Royal College of Surgeons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15981/14]
View answerEducation courses provided by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland include post-registration courses for nurses and midwives across the health service. The Health Service Executive, as the major employer of nurses and midwives in Ireland, avails of some of these services for nursing and midwifery staff development purposes.
I have forwarded your query regarding details of spending on these services to the HSE for direct response.
564. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when committed supports will be in place for a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15994/14]
View answerThe HSE and the Department of Education and Skills are providing a range of services and supports to individuals diagnosed with narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination regardless of age, on an ex-gratia basis. These services and supports which are co-ordinated by the HSE National Advocacy Unit are intended to provide that individuals receive tailored assistance to address their specific requirements, where appropriate. It is acknowledged that treatment and individual medical needs may need to be reassessed over time to take account of changes in their condition or circumstances.
As the Deputy’s question relates to an individual case it has been referred to the HSE for a direct reply.
565. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the introduction of Meningitis B vaccination; if the NIAC has met recently in this regard; and the outcome of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15996/14]
View answerThe National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) has not made any recommendation in relation to the use of Meningitis B vaccine in the primary childhood immunisation programme in Ireland. However NIAC has issued guidance in relation to the use of the Meningitis B vaccine in the control of clusters or outbreaks of Meningococcal B disease.
566. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health in relation to the primary care facility under development at the Meath Hospital site, if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the services provided there; the number of staff; the cost to the Health Service Executive of this development; when it will open; the names of the developers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15999/14]
View answerDelivery of healthcare facilities is a service matter. Therefore your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
567. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the Health Service Executive services, offices or administration currently housed on the Meath Hospital site; and the services that will be moved onto it following the building and demolition works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16000/14]
View answer568. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health the nature, type and reason for the new dental facility on the Meath Hospital campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16001/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 567 and 568 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
569. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath [16002/14]
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.
570. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his estimate of the number and proportion of over 70s who stand to lose a GP visit card in 2014; and his estimate of the number and proportion of over 70s who stand to lose a medical card in 2014 [16004/14]
View answerIt is not possible to project precisely potential card changes as the granting and retention of a medical card or GP visit card for a person over 70 years of age is subject to an individual assessment and review process in accordance with the guidelines. A review of existing card holders can result in renewal, change or removal of eligibility as a result.
As part of Budget 2014, the over-70s income limits were reduced to €500 per week for an individual and €900 per week for a couple. It is estimated that about 10% of people currently holding a medical card will, instead, qualify for a GP visit card.
571. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if chiropody care is available in the community free of charge to persons over the age of 70 anywhere in the State; where this is the practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16005/14]
View answerWhile there is no statutory obligation to provide a chiropody/podiatry service, such services are provided by the HSE to medical card patients with the greatest needs. I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the particular queries raised by the Deputy and to respond directly to her.
572. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a patient who is referred to accident and emergency from an ophthalmologist is liable for the €100 charge; his views on the rationale for this; if he will look at changing this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16006/14]
View answerThe Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013 provides for a €100 charge for out-patient services provided at an emergency department, an accident and emergency department, a casualty department, a minor injury unit, an urgent care centre, a local injury unit or any other facility providing similar services, subject to certain exemptions under Article 3. Under Article 3(h) a person who has a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner is exempt from this charge.
Any medical practitioner who wishes to practise medicine in Ireland is required by law (the Medical Practitioners Act 2007) to be registered with the Medical Council. An ophthalmologist is a specialist in medical and surgical eye problems. Ophthalmology is a recognised medical specialty for registration with the Medical Council. On this basis where a registered ophthalmologist issues a letter of referral there should be no charge.
573. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if a lump sum payment is being made to a person (details supplied); their annual pension entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16019/14]
View answerAs this is an operational matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
574. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health to whom the chief executive of St. Vincent's public hospital Dublin will report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16020/14]
View answerThe HSE has advised that the new interim Chief Executive of St. Vincent's University Hospital reports to the Chairman of the St. Vincent's Hospital Group and also reports to the HSE Regional Director of Performance and Integration through a Section 38 agreement between St. Vincent's University Hospital and the HSE.
The Deputy will also be aware that following the Report on the Establishment of Hospital Groups, which I launched in May 2013, seven hospital groups have been established on a non-statutory administrative basis. St. Vincent's University Hospital is part of the Dublin East Hospital Group. Arrangements are being finalised in the HSE to put hospital group management arrangements in place in the Dublin East Group.
I am confident that the establishment of acute hospitals into a small number of groups, each with its own governance and management, will provide an optimum configuration for hospital services to deliver high quality, safe patient care in a cost effective manner.
575. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of motor vehicles in the possession of his Department or agencies of his Department that are not required to hold motor tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16030/14]
View answer576. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of motor vehicles in the possession of his Department or agencies of his Department that do not hold an insurance policy; the manner in which insurance claims arising in respect of vehicles in the possession of his Department or its agencies are handled; the amount of insurance claims paid on behalf of his Department in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16046/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 575 and 576 together.
My Department does not have any motor vehicles in its possession. In relation to the Health Service Executive (HSE) I have referred your questions to the HSE with a request that they reply directly to you in the matter.
The information in relation to the Non-Commercial State Agencies is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
577. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of requests that the Health Service Executive made in 2013 and has made to date in 2014 under Section 8 of the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013 to the Minister for Social Protection to give it personal data where it is required for assessing or reviewing the eligibility of persons for services provided under the Health Acts 1970 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16053/14]
View answer578. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of requests that the Health Service Executive made in 2013 and has made to date in 2014 under section 8 of the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013 to the Revenue Commissioners to give it personal data where it is required for assessing or reviewing the eligibility of persons for services provided under the Health Acts 1970 to 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16054/14]
View answer579. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of requests that the Health Service Executive received in 2013 and has received to date in 2014 under section 8 of the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013 from the Minister for Social Protection to give her personal data where the data is required to calculate the means of a person in order to assess or review entitlements to benefits and services provided under the Social Welfare Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16055/14]
View answer580. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of requests that the Health Service Executive received in 2013 and has received to date in 2014 under section 8 of the Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013 from the Revenue Commissioners to give them personal data when the Commissioners require the personal data for the purpose of assessing or collecting any tax, duty or other charge payable to the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16056/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 577 to 580, inclusive, 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.
581. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a county breakdown for January 2014 of the number of children awaiting an initial assessment for speech and language therapies; and the numbers on open waiting lists in the following timeframes; 0 to four months; four to eight months; eight to 12 months; 12 to 18 months, 18 to 24 months; more than 24 months [16058/14]
View answerSpeech and language therapy for children can be accessed through both the Health Service Executive’s primary care services and its disability services.
The HSE's National Service Plan 2013 provided for additional funding of €20m to strengthen primary care services. This comprises over €18.5m for the recruitment of over 260 primary care team posts and over €1.4m to support community intervention team development. The posts include 52 whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists. The recruitment process is ongoing in relation to these posts, with the majority of the posts filled or offered, subject to start dates being agreed.
In terms of disability services, therapy services for children are currently being reconfigured into geographically-based multidisciplinary teams, as part of the HSE’s Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18years) Programme. The objective of this Programme is to achieve a national, unified approach to delivering disability health services so that there is a clear pathway to services for all children, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of their disability. The National Service Plan 2014 provides for targeted investment of €4m for the roll out of this Programme which equates to 80 additional therapy posts. The additional investment that is being made in both primary care and disability services and the re-configuration of children’s disability services into geographically-based multidisciplinary teams will have a positive impact on the provision of clinical services for all children requiring access to health related supports, including speech and language therapy.
My Department has asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy in relation to the specific detailed operational data that he has sought, insofar as it is available.
582. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the cost of enforcing the smoking ban per annum for the past ten years; the legal costs per annum; the amount an EHO is paid per out of hours visit to a premises; the number of convictions that have been secured; if any premises has been visited more than three times in any year and if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16070/14]
View answerAs the matters raised by the Deputy relate to service issues, his question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
583. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath [16071/14]
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.
