Thursday, 12 Jun 2014

Written Answers Nos. 211-218

Hospital Procedures

Questions (211)

Pat Deering

Question:

211. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will have a procedure carried out. [24992/14]

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.

Health Services

Questions (212)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

212. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in providing dental work in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10. [25018/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for adult medical card holders. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (213)

Michael McGrath

Question:

213. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 874 of 30 April 2014, if he will confirm specifically when a mini competition for certain services in Cork city and county (details supplied) will be conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25025/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.

Prescription Charges

Questions (214)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

214. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if, with regard to the charging of essential prescription medication to medical card customers, it is the practice that pharmacists will routinely write prescriptions for four calendar weeks 28 days instead of one month, that this creates 13 monthly charging periods in one calendar year and that where the cost of the medication is at the €25 limit, this effectively permits pharmacists to exceed the annual €300 limit on charges to medical card customers; if he will issue guidelines to curtail this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25026/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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 Card Eligibility

Questions (215, 220, 233, 237, 238, 241, 243)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

215. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a review of eligibility for a medical card, previously refused on the income grounds, will be undertaken in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25033/14]

Finian McGrath

Question:

220. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25051/14]

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

233. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 4 is in no danger of losing their medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25143/14]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will be restored in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25177/14]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will review-arrange for appeal or re-issue a full medical card in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25180/14]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25194/14]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when provision will be made for the restoration of medical cards in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25215/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215, 220, 233, 237, 238, 241 and 243 together.

The Government has decided to develop a new policy framework for eligibility for the award of medical cards to take account of on-going medical conditions. The HSE has established an Expert Panel to examine the range of conditions that should be considered as a basis of eligibility and has been asked to make an early report to Government.

In this context, the HSE has decided to suspend reviews of medical cards where discretion had been exercised to take account of medical circumstances, pending the outcome of this process. This includes people who are currently in the appeals process. The HSE has extended eligibility of the individuals concerned, who are in the process of being advised in the normal way.

The Government is examining how best to address the situation of persons with serious medical conditions who had been issued with a medical card on a discretionary basis, but who have already completed the review process (and appeal process, as relevant) and who are not eligible to retain that card. The Government is examining the most effective and timely way of progressing such change.

Disability Support Services Provision

Questions (216)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

216. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the possible closure of St Joseph's House in Stillorgan as a result of the Health Service Executive policy to close institutions and congregational settings that provide residential care to persons with disabilities; if steps will be taken to prevent the closure of St. Joseph's; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25041/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Questions (217)

Pat Deering

Question:

217. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health if an early hospital appointment will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow who is waiting for an ultrasound scan in WRH-WUH. [25042/14]

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.

Hospital Consultants Recruitment

Questions (218)

Pat Deering

Question:

218. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health when the recently retired dermatologist in WRH-WUH will be replaced; and the provision there is in place to treat current patients and examine new ones. [25043/14]

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.