Written Answers Nos. 584-606
584. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the establishment of an acute medical assessment unit at Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16072/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
585. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding social services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16076/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
586. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the budget for the National Office for Suicide Prevention in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and the projected budget for 2014. [16093/14]
View answerFunding for suicide prevention is provided to the National Office for Suicide Prevention by the HSE from its overall budget for mental health. Funding provided in the years 2011 to 2014 is as follows:
|
Year |
Funding €m |
|
2011 |
4.1 |
|
2012 |
7.1 |
|
2013 |
8.1 |
|
2014 |
8.8 |
587. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when a decision for home help for a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16097/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
588. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide assurances that the GP service that attends the rural community at Tullyvaragh, Broomfield, Castleblayney, County Monaghan one day a week will be maintained for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16101/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
589. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in response to a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 [16102/14]
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.
590. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Sláinte cén méid airgid a caitheadh in 2013 ar aistriú doiciméad ó Bhéarla go Gaeilge nó ó Ghaeilge go Béarla, agus ó theangacha eile go Béarla agus ó Bhéarla go teangacha eile, faoi seach; cad ba chaiteachas iomlán riaracháin na Roinne sa bhliain 2013; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [16138/14]
View answerSa bhliain 2013, tháinig caiteachas iomlán riaracháin mo Roinne go dtí €28.121 milliún.
Sa tréimhse 1 Eanáir go 30 Meithimh, 2013, caitheadh €7,243 ar aistriúchán ó Bhéarla go Gaeilge. Ní raibh aon chostas maidir le haistriúchán ó Ghaeilge go Béarla sa tréimhse sin. Níl sonraí ar fáil go fóill don tréimhse 1 Iúil go 31 Nollaig 2013 ach nuair atá, seolfaidh mé iad go dtí an Teachta.
Sa bhliain 2013, caitheadh €454 in iomlán ar aistriúcháin idir Bhéarla agus teangacha eile (ó Ghearmáinis go Béarla agus ó Bhéarla go Sínis).
591. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a medical card renewal application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16200/14]
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.
592. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to address the shortage of junior doctors available to the departments of surgery at Letterkenny Hospital, in view of this service now being at breaking point [16201/14]
View answerIn July last year, I set up a working group chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU, to carry out a strategic review of the medical training and career structure of Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs). I received the interim report of the Group which dealt primarily with training issues in December. The Group is now focusing on career structures and pathways following training and is due to report very shortly on these issues. The final report of the Group is to be submitted to me by the end of June 2014. I am confident that the implementation of the findings of this strategic review will, in future years, support the retention of sufficient numbers of doctors trained in Ireland within the system.
It should be noted that there are some specialties, at consultant and NCHD level in which there are international shortages and which have been traditionally difficult to fill. Filling these posts represents a significant challenge given that there is a competitive market for consultants and NCHDs with these specialties. There are also some hospitals to which it has historically been difficult to attract applicants, in particular smaller hospitals that have onerous rosters. The planned establishment of hospital groups should help to address this issue, as this will allow doctors to be appointed as group resources - instead of to just one hospital. Where posts are vacant and suitable candidates cannot be sourced, locums are retained or alternative arrangements are made to ensure the continued delivery of the service.
In relation to the specific query regarding Letterkenny Hospital, I have forwarded the question to the Health Service Executive who will respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.
593. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health if the services of chiropodists and podiatrists are covered under the medical card system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16213/14]
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.
594. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health when a medical card renewal is refused, if a person may retain their medical card while the appeal is being processed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16232/14]
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.
595. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Laois will receive speech and language therapy. [16246/14]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
596. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if he will meet families of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy to discuss their concerns regarding the lack of implementation of the EU cross-border healthcare directive and its impact on their families. [16251/14]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for his representations, and request for a meeting, on behalf of this group of patients. I am aware of the concerns of this group of patients, and others in a similar situation, regarding the delay in the transposition of the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive. While the transposition of the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive is behind schedule in the area of reimbursement, the other key block in the implementation of the Directive is in place in relation to a national contact point (NCP) which has been set up within the HSE and can provide patient's with information on matters other than reimbursement.
Once the necessary statutory provisions are completed and in place this group, and others, will be able to proceed to make applications for reimbursement under the terms of the Directive. I would like to assure all concerned that my Department is continuing to work as quickly as possible on the necessary statutory provisions to fully implement the Directive and will have them in place as soon as possible.
597. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when the EU cross-border healthcare directive will be fully implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16252/14]
View answerThe Directive on Patients’ Rights in Cross Border Healthcare provides rules for the reimbursement to patients’ of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State (Member State of Affiliation) and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level through the legislation on the coordination of social security schemes (regulation 883/04).
The Directive seeks to ensure a clear and transparent framework for the provision of cross-border healthcare within the EU, for those occasions where the care patients seek is provided in another Member State rather than in their home country. However, it should be emphasised that the vast majority of EU patients receive healthcare in their own country and prefer to do so. The Department of Health is continuing to work on the necessary statutory provisions to fully implement the Directive and will have them in place as soon as possible.
598. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the fair deal scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16256/14]
View answerThe individual referred to by the Deputy has appealed the decision in relation to his application for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme to the HSE. The HSE has advised that the appeal was not allowed because the weekly contribution payable by the individual toward the cost of his nursing home care was correctly calculated by the HSE Nursing Homes Support Office in accordance with the provisions of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 and the HSE's National Guidelines for the Standardised Implementation of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme.
The Minister for Health has no role in reviewing appeals under the statutory Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009. If a person is dissatisfied with the outcome of an appeal, they may appeal to the High Court against the decision on a point of law. Individuals may also take their case to the Office of the Ombudsman.
599. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the amount the Health Service Executive spends on drug and gambling addiction; if he will provide details of the various programmes nationwide for preventing and treating drug and gambling addiction in 2012 and 2013 [16258/14]
View answerThe HSE does not provide specific services for persons with a gambling addiction. However, those who present for addiction treatment for gambling are offered the same range of interventions as those who present with a drug and alcohol addiction, or a mental health concern. Counselling and rehabilitation services provide care to those presenting with a gambling addiction through one to one counselling, financial advice and onward referral to other statutory and voluntary groups where appropriate, such as Gamblers Anonymous.
The HSE also provides funding to a number of voluntary service providers who treat gambling addictions in addition to drug and alcohol addictions. This funding is provided from Drug and Alcohol services core funding. The apportionment of funding dedicated solely to gambling addiction cannot be extracted from overall funding.
The identified HSE expenditure for Addiction Services in 2012 totalled €90.752m. The allocation for 2013 was €91.546m. In addition, other areas of the HSE provide services to clients with addiction problems – these include Health Promotion, Mental Health (with the exception of the North West area which is included in the above figure), Acute Hospital Services and Emergency Departments, and Primary Care.
600. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of new vehicles that have been purchased by the National Ambulance Service in the past two years; the purpose of those vehicles; and if any of these vehicles are being used for private purposes by staff. [16259/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
601. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will specify the evidential source of research relied upon by his Department in concluding that access to free primary care, disease surveillance and health promotion for children under six years of age will improve health outcomes and-or effect savings in the primary and acute sectors in future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16282/14]
View answerThe Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, a universal GP service without fees within its term of office, as set out in the Programme for Government and the Future Health strategy framework. As announced in the Budget, it has been decided to commence the roll-out of a universal GP service by providing all children under 6 years with access to a GP service without fees. The implementation of this measure will require primary legislation, which I expect to be published shortly.
A draft contract for the provision of free GP care to children under 6 years, is currently the subject of a consultation process. When drafting the contract, consideration was given to Healthy Ireland, a framework for improved health and wellbeing 2013 – 2025. This is the Government's national framework for action to improve the health and wellbeing of our population, including children, over the coming generation. Based on international evidence, it outlines a new commitment to public health with an emphasis on prevention and stronger health systems. It addresses risk factors and promotes protective actions at every stage of life including early childhood.
Healthy Ireland has been informed by feedback from an extensive consultation process within Government, the health sector and wider public and private society. It reflects international experience and evidence of what determines health and reflects best practice in how to prioritise and invest for health and invest for long-term sustainable health benefits.
A key feature of the draft contract, therefore, is to reorient the focus of primary care towards prevention and health promotion in addition to diagnosis and treatment. In accordance with the principles of Healthy Ireland, there is a broad range of evidence from the international scientific literature on the value of health surveillance and health promoting activities on issues such as overweight and obesity in early childhood. I will write to the Deputy providing specific references.
602. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24, have in fact lost medical files in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16283/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
603. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 513 of 10 December 2013, if any progress has been made regarding securing alternative accommodation proposals as an interim solution pending the outcome of the primary care development; if there has been any progress on a permanent solution for a primary care centre serving north County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16284/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
605. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 692 of 18 February 2014, if he will provide an update on the matter and any decisions made on foot of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16299/14]
View answerSince coming into office, I have endeavoured to satisfactorily facilitate closure for around 250 women affected by symphysiotomy.
On 26 November 2013, Government approved the appointment of retired Circuit Court Judge Yvonne Murphy to assist in setting out a possible course of action in relation to women who have undergone symphysiotomies. Judge Murphy commenced her review of issues relating to Symphysiotomy in December and has recently submitted her report to me.
I am closely examining the report and its recommendations. I will bring a Memorandum to Government in the coming weeks, so that a decision can be taken as early as possible regarding next steps.
Any proposals brought to Government will also take into account of the findings of the independent research report on Symphysiotomy in Ireland 1944-1984, which was commissioned by my Department (the Walsh Report), along with any other relevant information. It is intended that the Walsh Report will be published once the Government has decided on its response to this complex and sensitive issue.
606. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the waiting time for a home care package; if there is a regional variation; if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16300/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
