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Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Written Answers Nos. 853 - 872

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (853)

Finian McGrath

Question:

853. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will restore a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22876/14]

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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.

Question No. 854 answered with Question No. 851.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (855)

Robert Dowds

Question:

855. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on changes to medical card retention for persons returning to work, as announced in budget 2014. [22888/14]

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Written answers

I can advise the Deputy that the proposal is still being examined.

Respite Care Services

Questions (856)

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

856. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the case of the person (details supplied) who has autism and is awaiting a regular respite service; if he will clarify the position regarding the number of occasions that the service is being cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22890/14]

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Written 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 Applications

Questions (857)

Finian McGrath

Question:

857. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22898/14]

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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.

Dental Services Provision

Questions (858)

Finian McGrath

Question:

858. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding dental treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22899/14]

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Written answers

I have asked the HSE to investigate this case and respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Data

Questions (859)

Jack Wall

Question:

859. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health in the past number of weeks the medication Crestor and Coversyl are no longer covered by the long-term illness card, the reason this has occurred; if they will be reinstated; if any notification of the withdrawal of same was issued and to whom; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22903/14]

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Written answers

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the GMS and other community drug schemes, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, therefore, these matters have been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (860)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

860. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the recently refused medical card application in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22912/14]

View answer

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.

Medical Card Reviews

Questions (861)

Clare Daly

Question:

861. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) had their medical card withdrawn on the basis of failing to respond to a review letter, even though they did not receive a letter, but a letter was sent to their spouse; his views on whether it is policy to contact the person directly, or if contacting a member of the household is deemed acceptable; and, if so, whether this is a breach of privacy. [22917/14]

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Written answers

All medical card and GP visit card holders are subject to a periodic review of eligibility to determine continuing eligibility. I am aware that the HSE has a very structured review process and makes every effort to ensure on-going engagement with clients during this process. I have asked the Health Service Executive to examine the particulars of this matter and to reply to the Deputy, as soon as possible, as to the nature and the circumstances of the correspondence that issued.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (862, 930, 944)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

862. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will make amendments to the rules surrounding medical cards to ensure that all persons who have Down's syndrome would automatically receive a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22922/14]

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Clare Daly

Question:

930. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will amend the Health Act 1970 in order to ensure that children are automatically entitled to a medical card upon being diagnosed with a serious illness or congenital condition. [23249/14]

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Finian McGrath

Question:

944. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will support an amendment to the Health Act 1970 which entitles any child diagnosed with a serious illness or disability to a full medical card. [23305/14]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 862, 930 and 944 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, eligibility for medical cards is set out in the Health Act 1970 (as amended). The Act provides that persons, unable without undue hardship having regard to their overall financial situation to arrange GP services for themselves and family, qualify for a medical card. There is no, nor has there ever been, an entitlement to a medical card for a person with a particular illness or medical condition and, therefore, in accordance with the legislation, it is not possible for the HSE to award a medical card.

The HSE has discretion to grant a medical card where a person's income exceeds the income guidelines. This discretion must be exercised by the HSE in accordance with the legislation. However, the fundamental provision in the 1970 Act is that a person is assessed on the basis of undue hardship in arranging a GP service having regard to his or her means.

One of the key goals of the reform of the health system is to ensure that people receive health care according to their particular needs rather than based on their income. It underpins the importance of moving towards a health system based on universality of access. These major reforms take time and Minister Reilly and I recognise the difficulties currently faced by those who are considered ineligible for a medical card. To this end, at Minister Reilly's request, the HSE is currently examining how individuals, who are not entitled to a medical card, could still receive services that meet their needs. This examination relates to all of the services and supports provided by the HSE and with regard to as much flexibility as is available at a local level.

In addition, additional information will be provided and local information points will be established at major health centres around the country, where members of the public can obtain comprehensive information and support in accessing the full range of supports from the Health Services.

The clear intention is to maximise the supports that can be provided in each case to the fullest extent possible. The HSE is seeking to find the best way to achieve this in order to ensure families will receive the support they need. I look forward to seeing these proposals.

Medical Card Data

Questions (863)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

863. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health since February 2011 to February 2014 the number of persons who have Down's syndrome who have lost their cards in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22923/14]

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Written answers

Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. The Act provides that persons, who are unable to arrange GP services for themselves and family without undue hardship, having regard to their overall financial situations, can qualify for a medical card. The HSE can only award medical cards in accordance with the Health Act and, therefore, it must assess the means and reasonable expenditure of the applicant, and his or her spouse or partner. As the medical condition of the applicant is not a factor in the assessment process for medical cards under the National Assessment Guidelines, the HSE does not record data on the GMS Database of this nature and, therefore, it is not possible to provide the data requested by the Deputy.

Medical Card Data

Questions (864)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

864. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health since February 2011 to 2014 the number of persons in County Kerry who have lost their discretionary medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22924/14]

View answer

Written answers

The 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.

Nursing Home Accommodation

Questions (865)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

865. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a replacement for St. Gabriel's Nursing Home in Dublin 5 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22929/14]

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Written answers

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

Accident and Emergency Department Waiting Times

Questions (866)

Finian McGrath

Question:

866. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a disabled person (details supplied) in Dublin 9 waiting for 30 hours in a chair in Beaumont Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22933/14]

View answer

Written answers

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

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (867)

Finian McGrath

Question:

867. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a senior citizen who is caring for a disabled child (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22934/14]

View answer

Written 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 Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (868)

Dan Neville

Question:

868. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding approval for spectacles in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22942/14]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Parliamentary Questions

Questions (869)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

869. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 879 of 30 April 2014, when a detailed response will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22943/14]

View answer

Written answers

In relation to the Deputy's further question in this matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.

Nursing Home Accommodation

Questions (870)

Robert Dowds

Question:

870. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health his plans regarding Crooksling Nursing Home in Brittas, County Dublin. [22948/14]

View answer

Written answers

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

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (871)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

871. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the medical and surgical appliances that are supplied without charge to a person with a medical card who is suffering from spina bifida; the criteria used to decide if a medical or surgical appliance will be supplied free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22949/14]

View answer

Written answers

The HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (872)

Michelle Mulherin

Question:

872. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the medical and surgical appliances that are supplied without charge to a person with a long-term illness card and who is suffering from spina bifida; the criteria used to decide if a medical or surgical appliance will be supplied free of charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22950/14]

View answer

Written answers

The HSE is responsible for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

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