Wednesday, 30 Apr 2014

Written Answers Nos 857 - 875

Health Services Funding

Questions (857)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

857. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19314/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Question No. 858 answered with Question No. 805.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (859)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

859. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Waterford. [19316/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Hospital Services

Questions (860)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

860. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in view of the recently purchased MRI scanner at Connolly hospital, the numbers waiting for an MRI scan in the hospital; the number of MRI specialist radiographers there are to operate it; the average weekly throughput since the scanner was installed; and the number of MRI scans that are currently outsourced from Connolly Hospital. [19317/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (861)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

861. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if it is the case that there are only two ambulances on duty in Longford every day except Monday and Tuesday; his views on whether this is sufficient; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the absence of sick leave or annual leave cover is causing major problems; if his attention has been further drawn that on the 11 of January 2014 there was no ambulance available from 7 p.m. onwards and on the 27 of January 2014 a crew member on 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. shift had to stay on until 9 a.m. the following morning; that there was no ambulance at all available on Christmas Eve as there were three people on annual leave; and his views that when a person dials 999 they should be informed where the ambulance has to come from as people who live near an ambulance bay often have to wait an hour or more if an ambulance has to come from another location. [19318/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.

Medical Card Delays

Questions (862)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

862. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a full medical card, already approved on income grounds, will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [19325/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (863)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

863. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13. [19326/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Universal Health Insurance Provision

Questions (864)

John Lyons

Question:

864. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health the implications for the PRSI system from the introduction of universal health insurance; if citizens will continue to pay PRSI in the same fashion when UHI is introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19334/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Responsibility for the PRSI system resides, in the first instance, with my colleague, Deputy Joan Burton, Minister for Social Protection. The White Paper on UHI does not propose any changes to the PRSI system. The Government has embarked on a major reform programme for the health system, the aim of which is to deliver a single-tier health service, supported by universal health insurance, where access is based on need, not income. The White Paper on Universal Health Insurance provides detailed information on the UHI model for Ireland, the process for determining the future basket of health services, including those services that will be covered under UHI and the financing mechanisms for UHI.

Moving to UHI will involve a radical change to the way in which we organise and finance our health system. Under UHI, the State will continue to fund large parts of the health system from general taxation. However, services provided under the UHI standard package will be funded by premiums paid by the citizens to their insurer of choice. Citizens who qualify will receive a full or partial subsidy towards the cost of their premium.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (865)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

865. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason after over a month of sending back further information to PCRS that a medical card application still has not been looked at for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19339/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Disability Diagnoses

Questions (866, 867)

Clare Daly

Question:

866. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if a directive has issued that the Health Service Executive can disregard the professional diagnosis of autism and therefore deprive children of access to services or an appropriate education. [19340/14]

Clare Daly

Question:

867. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if there has been a policy change whereby the Health Service Executive will not furnish a written diagnosis to parents which can be used by them in seeking appropriate extra support services in relation to their child's schooling. [19341/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 866 and 867 together.

There has been no policy change in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy. In respect of those children eligible to apply for an assessment under the Disability Act 2005, the Act gives the child with a disability the right to an assessment of their needs. In relation to health services, the intention of the Assessment of Need process is to identify the health needs resulting from the child’s disability. The role of health clinicians is to carry out a diagnostic or other assessment of a child where this is clinically indicated as being required from a health point of view, based on their experience and qualifications. While the allocation of educational supports or services is ultimately a matter for the Department of Education and Skills, there is an agreement in place between the sectors that reports prepared under the Assessment of Need process by health clinicians (be they diagnostic or otherwise) are made available to schools.

Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Provision

Questions (868)

Damien English

Question:

868. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that the need for a new approach to the provision of services for persons with neurological conditions was recognised and that the national policy and strategy for provision of neuro-rehabilitation services in Ireland 2011-2015 was published in November 2011, his views on the way services can be bettered for those families living and coping with caring for those with such neurological conditions; his proposals to improve this national plan and strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19343/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Neurological illness or injury has significant implications for the individual and their family and impacts on their social, educational, vocational and recreational participation. Health and personal social services for people with a neurological illness or injury are provided across a range of settings, by different organisations and by many health professionals and carers. Services include acute hospital services, specialist services at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, primary care, community services, long-term assisted living supports and rehabilitative training services.

Where neuro-rehabilitation is concerned, the HSE is committed to the implementation of the Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy, which focuses on the rehabilitative needs of those with neurological illness or injury. A Steering Group has been established to develop an implementation plan for the Strategy and to ensure links with the Clinical Rehabilitation Medicine Programme. A key development will be the assignment of regional Rehabilitation Medicine Consultants who will ensure that national best practice is implemented in each regional network, crossing the boundaries between acute and community services.

Prescription Charges

Questions (869)

Michael McGrath

Question:

869. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a comprehensive list of medical conditions in respect of which prescription charges do not apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19347/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Medical card holders are required to pay prescription charges for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme. There is no provision, under the prescription charge legislation, to exempt individual medical conditions from the prescription charge.

Prescription charges are not payable in respect of items supplied under the Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme. The conditions covered by the LTI Scheme are: Acute Leukaemia, Mental Handicap, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Illness (in a person under 16), Cystic Fibrosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes Insipidus, Diabetes Mellitus, Muscular Dystrophies, Parkinsonism, Epilepsy, Phenylketonuria, Haemophilia, Spina Bifida, Hydropcephalus and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.

Hospital Staff

Questions (870)

Clare Daly

Question:

870. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 642 of 8 April 2014, the organisations that provided the funding for the extra remuneration for senior Rotunda hospital staff in order that we can ascertain that those paying the money were not directing hospital policy. [19349/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is an operational matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Services

Questions (871)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

871. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason the procedure for being referred for blood tests to St. James's Hospital has been changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19350/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Disability Support Services

Questions (872)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

872. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the supports available for persons with autism when they finish school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19356/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE, through its Occupational Guidance Service, works with schools, service providers, service users and families to identify the training needs of people with disabilities, including autism. The Occupational Guidance Officer provides one to one advice, support and guidance to enable individuals with a disability aged 16 to 65 years, including those with high functioning autism, to make an informed choice about their rehabilitative training and occupational options. The provision of work-related training is the responsibility of SOLAS and the Department of Education and Skills, while life-skills training and general day services are provided by the HSE.

The aim is to address the needs of individuals in one or more of the following ways:

- health-funded rehabilitative training;

- health-funded day services;

- SOLAS-funded vocational training;

- extension to education placement for a specified time.

The plan for each individual is dependent on:

- final decisions by service users where more than one service model may be considered;

- approval, if requested, to extend current educational placements;

- capacity of providers to make best use of available resources.

An additional €7 million demographic funding has been allocated to the HSE in 2014 to address the needs of young people with disabilities who are due to leave school this year.

Hospital Appointment Status

Questions (873)

Tom Fleming

Question:

873. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19367/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Transport Costs

Questions (874)

Michael McGrath

Question:

874. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive last concluded a tendering process for the provision of taxi services in Cork City and County; when the next tendering process is due to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19370/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply. I should note that as a Government Agency, funded from the Exchequer, the HSE must comply with EU directives and national guidelines when producing products, goods or services to support the delivery of health care services.

Medical Card Appeals

Questions (875)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

875. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in re-issuing a person (details supplied) with a medical card who suffers from Huntington’s disease and is receiving palliative care, and when they can expect their medical card to be granted. [19371/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.