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Wednesday, 9 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos. 175-180

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (175)

Seán Fleming

Question:

175. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be provided with free spectacles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16928/14]

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Written answers

Children under 6 years of age and children of primary school age are provided with an optical screening service by the HSE. Any refractive errors are treated and spectacles or other appropriate care is provided where necessary. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme

Questions (176)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

176. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate under what circumstances participants in the fair deal nursing home scheme may retain a portion of their income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16930/14]

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Written answers

Under the Nursing Homes Support Scheme applicants contribute up to 80% of their assessable income and a maximum of 7.5% of the value of any assets per annum towards their cost of care. The first €36,000 of an individual’s assets, or €72,000 in the case of a couple, is disregarded from the financial assessment. Applicants, therefore, retain at least 20% of their income. However, it should be noted that the Scheme also provides for a minimum retained income threshold. This ensures that applicants retain at least 20% of the maximum amount of the State Pension (Non-Contributory).

Applicants are free to spend this retained income as they wish, including using it to pay for items which are not covered by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme or other schemes, e.g. the Medical Card scheme.

Mobility Allowance Eligibility

Questions (177)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

177. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms being put in place to cater for persons who formerly received the mobility allowance; the plans that exist to introduce a new regime or when it is envisaged that such a regime might be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16934/14]

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Written answers

The Mobility Allowance payment continues to be made to recipients of the allowance prior to it being closed last year. Those individuals continue to receive the same payment on a monthly basis, as before.

In November 2013, the Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new travel support payment and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Department of Health is working to progress this matter and will draw on the work, last year, of the Review Group on Transport Supports for People with Disabilities and the Inter-Departmental Group tasked by Government to consider this matter. Work is ongoing at the present time on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme.

Hospital Charges

Questions (178)

Billy Timmins

Question:

178. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the payment policy for attending at accident and emergency departments; his plans to amend same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16941/14]

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Written answers

The A&E charge which is currently €100, is provided for by the Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations 2013. The charge applies to persons attending Emergency Departments, Accident and Emergency Departments, Casualty Departments, Minor Injury Units, Urgent Care Centres, Local Injury Units or any other facility providing similar services, subject to exemptions set out in these regulations, including medical card holders and those who have a letter of referral from a registered medical practitioner.

Cancer Screening Programmes

Questions (179)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

179. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will consider introducing free cervical smear testing for those aged under 25 years following concern about the prohibitive fee of €80; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16942/14]

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Written answers

CervicalCheck, the National Cervical Screening Programme, was introduced in 2008 and offers free smear tests to women aged 25 - 60. The decision to limit smear tests to women aged 25 and over was made following careful consideration of the risks of cervical cancer and the benefits of population screening, based on the examination of evidence by both Irish and international experts. In that regard the recommendation from the International Agency on Cancer Research is that effective population based cervical screening programmes should be aimed at women aged over 25 years.

Cancer of the cervix is extremely rare in women aged under 25. While changes in the cells of the cervix are very common for this age cohort, in the vast majority of cases, these changes will settle and return to normal without intervention. If the screening age was lowered to invite those under 25 for smear tests, young women could be subjected to unnecessary treatment that may have potential long-term negative effects on their health and fertility.

I fully accept that early detection of cervical cancer is very important for effective treatment. I would encourage all women aged under 25 to be vigilant about their health and to consult their GP immediately if they have any concerns or symptoms such as abnormal bleeding. In such cases a biopsy through a hospital service is the most likely way forward, rather than a screening process.

In relation to preventing cervical cancer in younger women, I would encourage all 12-18 year olds to avail of the free HPV vaccination which is offered to all second level schoolgirls.

Health Services

Questions (180)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

180. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if an orthopaedic appointment will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16949/14]

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Written answers

In relation to the particular patient query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.

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