Written Answers Nos. 749 - 766
749. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a completed application for a medical card was received in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18715/14]
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.
750. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in determination of a new application for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18716/14]
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.
751. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a review has been completed in respect of eligibility for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18717/14]
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.
752. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18718/14]
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.
753. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18719/14]
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.
754. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an appeal has been lodged in respect of a decision to refuse medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18720/14]
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.
755. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason podiatry testing has been withdrawn at the Living Health Clinic in Mitchelstown, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18728/14]
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.
756. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Health the funding streams that have been put in place for the Dyspraxia Association of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18733/14]
View answerThe Government is fully committed to ensuring the on-going delivery of vital services and supports to people with disabilities within available resources.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been provided with funding in the order of €1.4 billion this year to fund its 2014 disability services programme for children and adults with disabilities. The majority of this funding is distributed through non-statutory agencies who deliver over 80% of all disability services. There are in the region of 300 such agencies at present across the country that provide a significant and broad range of services for children and adults with disabilities in partnership with and on behalf of the HSE. It is important to note that many children and adults with a disability can be very effectively supported within mainstream child and adult health services. A comprehensive range of supports is also in place in our school system to support these children.
The Dyspraxia Association is just one of a range of organisations around the country at present providing supports to specific diagnostic groups who do not receive regular HSE funding. Funding of these types of organisation is a matter for the HSE in the first instance and needs to be considered in light of the resources available and the relevant service priorities.
757. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the basis on which the conclusion was reached that the applicant's medical condition is not chronic and life-threatening in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare despite incontrovertible medical evidence being submitted to the contrary; if the applicant's medical card will be reinstated as a matter of urgency due to chronic ill health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18751/14]
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.
758. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 27 March 2014, when a response will issue from the Health Service Executive [18753/14]
View answerIn relation to the Deputy's further question in this matter, as this is a service issue, I have again asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
759. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical review will be finalised in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath which has been ongoing for almost four months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18756/14]
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.
760. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath is given appointment in the Adelaide Hospital as soon as possible as this case has been marked as urgent by their general practitioner [18757/14]
View answerIn 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.
761. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for a medical card in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18760/14]
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.
762. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding respite care in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18775/14]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
763. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be approved in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny [18779/14]
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.
764. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards issued to those over the age of 70 in January 2013, February 2013 and March 2013 compared to the number of medical cards issued to those over the age of 70 in January 2014, February 2014 and March 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18782/14]
View answerThe 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.
765. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Health his views on the inclusion of fampridine in the drug purchase scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18788/14]
View answer802. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health if the drug fampyra which has shown to have very encouraging results in the treatment of patients suffering from multiple sclerosis with regard to their ability to walk and general mobility would be made available via the long term illness card and medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18998/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 765 and 802 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
The HSE received an application for the inclusion of Fampridine (Fampyra®) in the GMS and community drugs schemes. The application was considered in line with the procedures and timescales agreed by the Department of Health and the HSE with the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) for the assessment of new medicines. In accordance with these procedures, the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) conducted a pharmacoeconomic evaluation of Fampridine and concluded that, as the manufacturer was unable to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of Fampridine in the Irish healthcare setting, it was unable to recommend the reimbursement of the product. The report is available on the NCPE's website (www.ncpe.ie ). The NCPE report is an important input to assist the HSE in its decision making process and informs further discussions between the HSE and the manufacturer of the drug. The HSE assessment process is intended to arrive at a decision on the funding of new medicines that is clinically appropriate, fair, consistent and sustainable. In these circumstances, the HSE has not approved the reimbursement of Fampridine under the GMS or other community drug schemes.
766. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the lifetime MSM ban on blood donation; if he will instruct the Irish Blood Transfusion Service to move towards a less restrictive regime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18801/14]
View answerThe remit of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is to provide a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system. Blood, and the products derived from it, are an integral facet of healthcare delivery. A major objective of the IBTS is to ensure that it always has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both the donors of blood and the recipients of blood and blood products.
The EU Directive on quality and safety of blood requires that "all necessary measures have been taken to safeguard the health of individuals who are recipients of blood and blood components". The permanent deferral of men who have sex with men [MSM] from donating blood is not based on sexuality or orientation but on the fact that there are increased levels of HIV infection among men who have sex with men in Ireland.
Decisions of the IBTS on such matters are based on available evidence. Data available in Ireland from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, as well as from international sources, is kept under review. The most recent full year data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre is in respect of 2012 and in that year 341 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in Ireland. The highest proportion of new diagnoses was in MSM (166 cases - approx 49%) and this proportion has been increasing since 2004. Data for the first two quarters of 2013 shows similar rates to 2012. These rates of HIV infection in MSM are disproportionately high, considering that MSM account for a relatively small proportion of the population.
The IBTS keeps its eligibility criteria for blood donation under on-going review, working closely with blood services internationally.
