Timmy Dooley
Question:911. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the reason juvenile arthritis is not recognised as a lifelong illness (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19574/14]
View answerLong-Term Illness Scheme Coverage
Questions (911)
Written answers
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the Long Term Illness scheme. Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.
Hospital Facilities
Questions (912)
Michael McGrath
Question:912. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the plans the Health Service Executive has for upgrading the paediatric unit at Cork University Hospital; the plans to improve the facilities at the hospital for children with cystic fibrosis; the current staffing levels within the unit to deal with children with cystic fibrosis; if there are any plans to increase these levels; if there is access to a child psychologist for children with cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19597/14]
View answerWritten answers
This Government is acutely aware of the challenges facing people with cystic fibrosis and their families and fully acknowledges the need for, and supports the provision of, dedicated accommodation which allows appropriate isolation for improved infection control. There has been significant investment in services for people with cystic fibrosis in the past few years, including at Cork University Hospital. This includes the National Adult Referral Centre, a dedicated CF unit which opened in 2012 at St Vincent's University Hospital, a purpose-built outpatient facility at Beaumont Hospital and a new outpatient facility at Cork University Hospital, which was completed with support from Build4Life as well as Exchequer funding. Other capital projects under way include a dedicated paediatric outpatient CF unit at Galway University Hospital and the development of an inpatient Cystic Fibrosis unit in Cork University Hospital, which are expected to be completed during 2014.
As the Deputy will be aware, difficulties regarding the ring-fencing of beds for CF patients in the Respiratory Unit in Cork University Hospital have been resolved. A contract has been agreed and the project is proceeding as planned. The project will deliver 10 designated single inpatient rooms for adults with CF. In addition, a bed utilisation policy will be put in place to ensure appropriate protected access to these CF-designated beds for adult CF patients. In relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Appointment Status
Questions (913)
Barry Cowen
Question:913. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly may expect an appointment at the Regional Hospital Limerick. [19619/14]
View answerWritten answers
Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific hospital appointment query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (914)
Brendan Griffin
Question:914. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be called for cataracts surgery. [19620/14]
View answerWritten answers
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Hospital Services
Questions (915)
Pat Deering
Question:915. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if all medical referee doctors are trained to examine fibromyalgia sufferers; and are they aware of the eighteen tender points and the severe pain touching these can bring on for the patient. [19621/14]
View answerWritten answers
Medical referee doctors come from a variety of backgrounds including Occupational Health and General Practice. The majority of medical referee doctors work with referrals from the Department of Social Protection. Given the range of clinical presentations to a medical referee doctor, it is understood that he/she would generally be aware of the American College of Rheumatology Guidelines which have diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia including examination for tender points.
The training of medical doctors is, however, a matter for the relevant training bodies and my Department has no role in setting out what is required in training a doctor. Nor has my Department any role in setting out criteria for membership of panels of medical referees.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (916)
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Question:916. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the options and supports available to a person (details supplied) in County Longford who has been recommended for surgery in a foreign country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19626/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Medical Internships
Questions (917)
Derek Nolan
Question:917. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to ensure that medical interns in hospitals are properly shadowed and are not making decisions without the support of a senior doctor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19685/14]
View answerWritten answers
All graduates of medical schools in Ireland are required by the Medical Practitioners Act 2007 to complete a 12-month internship in order to practise medicine. The purpose of internship is to provide medical graduates with on-site practical clinical training and responsibilities leading to the development of the professional and personal competencies that result in good patient care and provide a foundation for lifelong learning. Completion of internship leads to eligibility for registration on the Medical Council’s Trainee Specialist Division or General Division and for employment at SHO level in training or non-training posts. Intern training is provided by Intern Training Networks which are designated by the HSE and specifically recognised and accredited for this purpose by the Medical Council. Intern training is currently provided in acute hospitals, general practices and in one private hospital. The HSE has increased the number of Intern posts from 530 in 2007 to 680 in 2014 to accommodate increasing numbers of graduates of Irish medical schools.
Interns work as part of teams, each team comprising a number of interns, senior house officers, registrars and consultants. The intern’s role is a delegated one, and is always consistent with his/her clinical skills and competency, with patient safety as the priority. At all times, interns are working directly with, or under the direction and supervision of, a senior colleague.
Medical Card Administration
Questions (918)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:918. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Health the reason after a medical card holder is given a prescription in a hospital, they then have to ask their doctor to get the prescription put on their medical card before they can go to a chemist for their prescription; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19689/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Medical Council’s Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics states that “it is in the best interests of the patient that a general practitioner supervises and guides the overall management of their health”.
Medical card holders who are given a prescription by a hospital or clinic must request their GP to transcribe the details onto a GMS prescription form in order for them to receive their medication free of charge, subject to any applicable prescription charges.
There is an arrangement under the GMS Scheme for the emergency supply of medicines for medical card holders on discharge from hospital. Community pharmacists are authorised to dispense a maximum of seven days supply of medicines prescribed for persons who have been in-patients in a hospital or who have attended an Emergency Department and because of the circumstances of their discharge and/or the urgency of the prescribed medication it would not be possible to attend their GP to have the hospital prescription transcribed to a GMS prescription form. This arrangement relieves any difficulties that patients might encounter due to being discharged from hospital late in the evening or at weekends.
I wish to assure the Deputy that it is best clinical practice that a person in need of treatment should regularly attend their GP and that the GP is fully aware of the medications that any patient may be being prescribed. This is entirely consistent with the gatekeeper role played by the GP in the delivery of primary care. As GPs receive an annual capitation fee per GMS patient there are no extra costs incurred by such patients.
Home Care Packages
Questions (919)
Finian McGrath
Question:919. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a long-term home care package in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19702/14]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Medical Card Appeals
Questions (920)
Finian McGrath
Question:920. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19703/14]
View answerWritten 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.
Medical Card Appeals
Questions (921)
Michael McCarthy
Question:921. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health when a decision will be made on an appeal against the refusal of a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19714/14]
View answerWritten 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.
Medical Card Administration
Questions (922)
Jerry Buttimer
Question:922. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the entitlement of a person (details supplied) to access medical services; if they are entitled to a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19721/14]
View answerWritten 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.
Motor Insurance Regulation
Questions (923)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:923. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will ensure the MIBI fund will be used to cover person's policies following the collapse of Setanta Insurance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19477/14]
View answerWritten answers
The advice to people insured by Setanta Insurance is that they should obtain a replacement insurance policy without delay, as that company has stated that it is not in a position to confirm that claims will be met in full and as all claims are subject to the relevant liquidation process.
Insurance Ireland has advised that third party victims of collisions involving vehicles insured by Setanta should submit their claims in the first instance to Setanta, as detailed on their website. If such claims are not honoured by Setanta, they may be submitted to the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI), an organisation established by the motor insurers, together with the relevant statement of denial from Setanta. The MIBI will handle such claims in accordance with the 2009 Agreement with my Department for the compensation of third party road accident victims of uninsured or unidentified vehicles. Copies of that agreement are available on the MIBI's website at www.mibi.ie. The MIBI will only act for third party victims in a collision if it is found that Setanta Insurance cannot honour claims against their policy holders.
Cycling Facilities Provision
Questions (924)
Brendan Griffin
Question:924. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has further future plans for funding greenways and cycling routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18544/14]
View answerWritten answers
The response received by my Department from local authorities to the recent funding call under the National Cycle Network Programme was very impressive with 38 applications received from 28 authorities. Under this phase of the Programme, which covers the period 2014 to 2016, it was only possible to fund three projects amounting to €6.35 million. Details of the successful projects are available at www.smartertravel.ie.
It is likely that funding may become available from other sources over the coming years. The EU Structural Funds Programme 2014 to 2021 is currently being finalised and there may be significant opportunities for cycle infrastructure development under Interreg and the Rural Development Programme. I understand that many local authorities are already positioning themselves to avail of such opportunities. Given the popularity and success of cycle greenways already delivered, I will continue to explore alternative funding streams for such projects given their contribution to community life as well as their significant economic stimulus potential.
National Roads Authority Projects
Questions (925)
Brendan Griffin
Question:925. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the Commercial Court decision of 11 April 2014, on the N86; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18572/14]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. I am aware of the High Court decision of 11 April concerning a planning appeal taken by Kerry County Council on the N86 Tralee to Dingle road. I expect that all the parties to the appeal will now review the decision of the Court and I will discuss the matter with the NRA further if it is felt that there are wider policy implications of this decision.
Sports Organisations
Questions (926)
Finian McGrath
Question:926. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will support Kilbarrack FC on matters in 2014 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18586/14]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that an application has been submitted by the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme and the Deputy's support for the project is noted. The applications received under the 2014 Sports Capital Programme are currently being assessed and I hope to announce allocations later this year.
Rail Services
Questions (927, 928, 929, 961)
Michael McNamara
Question:927. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason Irish Rail services from Galway, via Limerick, to Cork, the fourth, third and second largest cities in the State take from 3 hours 55 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes, when private bus competitors can cover the journey in 2 hours 50 minutes and the estimated travel time by car is 2 hours 38 minutes. [18623/14]
View answerMichael McNamara
Question:928. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason express trains between Dublin and Limerick all travel via Limerick Junction, thereby servicing only stations already serviced by express trains between Dublin and Cork, when the route via Ballybrophy is substantially shorter and also serves potential customers in Clare and Tipperary. [18624/14]
View answerMichael McNamara
Question:929. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will appoint a management team to Irish Rail which will run the rail network so as to provide a service across as much of the State as possible and thereby attract greater revenues for the company. [18625/14]
View answerMichael Healy-Rae
Question:961. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the rural train service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19543/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 927 to 929, inclusive, and No. 961 together.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has entered into Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts with Irish Rail for the provision of rail services. Specific proposals relating to the provision of services under that contract are matters for the NTA in conjunction with Irish Rail I have therefore referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days. The day to day operations of Iarnród Éireann, including the appointment of employees, are a matter for the board of the company and I do not have a direct role in such matters. The mandate which I have given to the board requires them to operate on a financially sustainable basis and to maximise revenues wherever possible.