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Thursday, 17 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos. 248-256

Orthodontic Service Waiting Lists

Questions (248)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

248. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Wexford has not been referred for orthodontic treatment; the procedure during a routine appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18430/14]

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Written answers

The HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.

Dental Services Provision

Questions (249)

Robert Troy

Question:

249. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will schedule a person (details supplied) for a four teeth extraction with the health clinic in Mullingar as soon as possible on medical grounds. [18452/14]

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Written answers

Dental services to children up to 16 years are provided by the Public Dental Service of the HSE. The service is targeted at children at key stages in their development. Children are given dental examinations and any follow-up treatment required at these stages. When required, emergency dental treatment is available to all children up to 16 years. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.

Accident and Emergency Services Provision

Questions (250)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

250. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding an accident and emergency department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18457/14]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (251)

Martin Heydon

Question:

251. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the funding options available for a large community centre that wishes to build disabled toilet facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18461/14]

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Written answers

My Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. If an organisation wishes to make an application for National Lottery Funding they should send in a formal application. Detailed procedures along with the application form are set out on the Department's website at www.doh.ie.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (252)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

252. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the processes in place for compiling day-case and inpatient waiting lists; the initial assessments or reviews undertaken before a person is first placed on either list; if any other assessments or reviews take place after that; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18462/14]

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Written answers

In relation to the detailed information requested by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.

National Treatment Purchase Fund Waiting Times

Questions (253)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

253. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the reason, in view of a previous commitment on his part, the National Treatment Purchase Fund did not publish its waiting list reports for January 2014 at the same time that the Health Service Executive performance assurance and management data reports for that month were published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18463/14]

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Written answers

The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. However, as soon as this information becomes available I will make arrangements to forward it to the Deputy.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Oversight

Questions (254)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

254. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to instances where families of individual participants in the fair deal nursing home care scheme are required to pay significant extra costs for basic medical and personal necessities such as mattresses, walking frames, hygiene products and other items which would reasonably be assumed to be covered under the scheme; if he will outline the precise guidelines for nursing homes to follow with regard to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18489/14]

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Written answers

The Nursing Homes Support Scheme provides financial support towards the cost of long-term residential care services in nursing homes. Under the 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 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. The Nursing Homes Support Scheme covers the cost of the standard components of residential care, which are:

- nursing and personal care appropriate to the level of care needs of the person,

- bed and board,

- basic aids and appliances necessary to assist a person with the activities of daily living, and

- laundry service.

A person's eligibility for other schemes, such as the Medical Card Scheme or the Drugs Payments Scheme, is unaffected by participation in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme or residence in a nursing home. Incontinence wear, where required, is provided free of charge by the HSE to all Nursing Homes Support Scheme residents that possess a Medical Card.

In determining the services covered by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme, it was considered very important that the resident and the taxpayer would be protected and would not end up paying for the same services twice. For this reason, goods and services that are already available under an existing scheme are not included in the services covered by the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. Part 8 of the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2009 stipulates that the registered provider of the nursing home must agree a contract with each resident within one month of their admission. This contract must include details of the services to be provided to that resident and the fees to be charged. Residents should not be charged fees which are not set out in the contract.

Prescription Charges

Questions (255)

Michael McGrath

Question:

255. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the total amount raised from prescription charges in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18505/14]

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Written answers

The total amount raised from prescription charges in 2013 amounted to €85.6 million.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (256)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

256. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned that a medical assessment of an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details provided) in County Kerry has not been completed after being sent for review 11 weeks ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18508/14]

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Written answers

The 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.

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