Written Answers Nos. 673-697
673. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when an appointment will be approved for scans to be carried out in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25648/14]
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.
674. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a doctor will be appointed to serve public patients to replace a doctor who has retired in an area (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25649/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 675 answered with Question No. 615.
676. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a full medical card will be approved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25689/14]
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.
677. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who have been funded by the Health Service Executive to receive long-term psychiatric care outside the State; if he will provide a breakdown of the cost involved for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25694/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
678. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card review in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25700/14]
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.
679. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his view on the adequacy of the staffing allocation in Temple Street Children's Hospital, where babies with recurrent eye infections have to wait a minimum of ten months to be seen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25737/14]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to her directly.
680. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25741/14]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, 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 him on this matter.
681. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 10 June 2014, the date on which the report was received by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25743/14]
View answerThe report on the review of Integrated Service Areas was received from the HSE on the 28th February 2014. I have had the report considered within my Department and intend shortly to bring proposals to Government in relation to its recommendations.
682. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Service Executive has ceased to allow community access to a building in its ownership, including the use of the building as a day-care centre and for day care services for patients with Alzheimer's disease; his views on whether the closure of this facility was undertaken without adequate notice; if he considers that the renovations of the building instigated by the HSE has been unduly protracted; if he will provide an undertaking that the building (details supplied) in County Kildare will be returned to its uses without further delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25751/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
683. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the reason qualification for medical cards for the over 70s is calculated on gross income and fails to take account of tax, universal social charge, PRSI, payments under the nursing homes support scheme, or any other payments; if there are any plans to change the current system to take account of such payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25752/14]
View answerPersons aged over 70 years of age may benefit from a range of assessment methods, some of which take account of tax, universal social charge, PRSI, and some other expenses.
Under the Health Act 2008, automatic entitlement to a medical card for persons aged 70 and over ended on 31 December 2008. Under the arrangements effected by the Act, a revised, simple system of assessment for eligibility was made available to those 70 years of age and over, based on the significantly higher gross income limits rather than the standard net income thresholds. This advantageous arrangement for persons aged over 70 years has facilitated a much greater share of this cohort qualifying for a medical card compared to the general population as a whole.
In the main, persons in the over-70s age cohort do not have the same outlays and expenses as those under 70 years of age who are assessed on a means basis. Under the standard means tested medical card scheme, allowance may be made for rent/mortgage, travel to work and child care costs. Generally, for the over 70s, mortgages have been cleared, children have been catered for and they would not have travel to work related costs.
However, persons aged 70 or older who are assessed as ineligible under the gross income thresholds may also have their eligibility assessed under the means tested medical card scheme where they face particularly high expenses, e.g., nursing home or medication costs. As I have outlined, this assessment is based on net income and assessable outgoing expenses and the qualifying income thresholds under this scheme are lower than over -70s gross income thresholds.
Furthermore, persons aged over 70 years may still be eligible for a medical card where discretion is exercised where they face undue hardship in arranging medical services as a result of medical or social circumstances.
684. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the delay in arranging a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will expedite the matter [25756/14]
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.
685. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early date for an operation will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny [25757/14]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, 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 him on this matter.
686. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will arrange a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25759/14]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, 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 him on this matter.
687. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on UK pensions and payments from the UK Government here that are in receipt of medical cards; and if they have a separate entitlement to medical cards arising from the payment by the UK Government to Ireland to cover these persons in respect of their health services but are now living here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25760/14]
View answerRegulation (EC) 883/2004 deals with the coordination of social security, including health care, for those moving within the European Union. Under its provisions, persons residing in Ireland who are attached to the social security system of another member state, are entitled to receive health care services in Ireland at the cost of that member state provided they are not subject to Irish social security legislation. Persons in this category, which includes persons attached to the UK social security system, are entitled to full eligibility and receive a medical card as evidence of their entitlement.
The Health Service Executive operates under the legislative framework of the Health Act of 1970, as subsequently amended. In the interest of probity, the HSE is obliged to ensure that a person’s eligibility is correctly recorded in line with the eligibility legislation and the national guidelines. The HSE aims to ensure that every person who is entitled to a medical card or a GP visit card is given the opportunity to avail of his or her entitlement. As part of the HSE's ongoing process of periodic review to determine continuing eligibility, where a person who holds a medical card under the EU Regulations, there is only a requirement to demonstrate to the HSE that they continue to qualify under the EU Regulations.
The information requested on the number of persons on UK pensions and payments from the UK Government here that are in receipt of medical cards is not readily available. However, Ireland operates a bilateral healthcare reimbursement agreement with the United Kingdom, in respect of health services provided under EU Regulations, covering such persons as temporary visitors between the two countries, pensioners of one country and their dependants residing in the other country, and the dependant families of persons employed in the other country. Under the terms of the agreement net liability between the two countries is calculated on a lump sum basis rather than an individual basis.
By far the largest part of the payments made on an annual basis under the agreement relates to the provision of healthcare to pensioners of one country residing in the other country. The estimated number of pensioners for whom each country is liable has been based on a sample survey undertaken by both administrations every three years. The most recent sample survey was completed in 2008 and the United Kingdom accepted liability for 40% of its pensioner caseload residing in Ireland, equating to 43,600 persons. Both administrations have since agreed in principle to work towards a form of pensioner registration which will form the basis for calculating pensioner reimbursement costs in the future and agreed interim arrangements for determining pensioner liability, based on previous survey results trends.
688. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25761/14]
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.
689. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the drugs payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25766/14]
View answer713. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health the reason long-term illnesses such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis are not included in the long-term illness scheme; if he will review this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25890/14]
View answer722. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if the review panel of the long-term illness scheme will consider Lupus; and the persons included on the panel. [25940/14]
View answer745. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will include asthma on the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26121/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 689, 713, 722 and 745 together.
The Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered under the LTI Scheme.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has established an expert panel to review eligibility for medical cards. There are no plans for such a review of the LTI 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 HSE 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.
690. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to a Parliamentary Question of 18 September 2013 which stated that the expert group’s review of the Mental Health Act 2001 was expected before the end of 2013, if he will forward details of the report; if not already published, if he will provide the date on which the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25775/14]
View answerThe Mental Health Act 2001 is the key piece of legislation regarding the rights of people involuntarily detained and treated in approved centres within our mental health services. A commitment to review the Act is contained in the current Programme for Government.
In 2011, I appointed a Steering Group to carry out an initial review of the Act ‘informed by human rights standards and in consultation with service users, carers and other stakeholders’. The report of the Steering Group was published in June 2012 and is available on my Department’s website.
An Expert Group was subsequently established to carry out the second and substantive phase of the review and the Group had its first meeting in September 2012. The Group was originally due to complete its report in 2013.
The publication last year of the proposed Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill, which has some direct links with the Mental Health Act of interest to the Expert Group, is a factor which led to an extension of the timeframe for completion of the report.
Work on the review has been continuing and I now expect to receive the Expert Group's final report by the third quarter of 2014.
691. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if orthodontic treatment will be arranged as a matter of urgency in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25776/14]
View answerThe HSE provides orthodontic treatment to patients based on their level of clinical need. An individual's access to orthodontic treatment is determined against a set of clinical guidelines and priority is given to patients with greatest needs. The HSE has been asked to examine the specific query raised by the Deputy and to reply to him as soon as possible.
692. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health 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. [25789/14]
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.
693. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form the total amount spent per annum from 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of concerns by the Revenue Commissioners over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25817/14]
View answerThe information requested is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available. My Department complies with the relevant statements of practice issued by the Revenue Commissioners and no specific audit in respect of such payments has been undertaken.
694. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 610 of 23 April 2014, if all of the posts listed in the response have now been filled and if any remain to be filled; when he expects the recruitment process to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25824/14]
View answerI understand the Deputy is referring to Parliamentary Question No. 610 of 23 April 2013.
The recruitment process is ongoing in relation to the of 264.5 Primary Care Team posts, which were approved in the HSE's National Service Plan for 2013. The position as of 6th June 2014 is as follows:
- 221.5 posts filled or start dates agreed;
- 8 posts accepted / start dates still to be agreed;
- 7 posts in final stages of recruitment (subject to Garda clearance, etc.); and
- 28 posts - recruitment process ongoing (unable to fill in first recruitment campaign).
The majority of the unfilled posts (24) are Public Health Nursing posts and agreement has been reached with the HSE's National Recruitment Service to express these unfilled posts to those remaining on current panels and, thereafter, to student Public Health Nurses (PHNs) who are currently completing their examinations. This should enable the outstanding PHN posts to be filled.
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy regarding the time frame for the completion of the recruitment process.
Question No. 695 answered with Question No. 640.
696. 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. [25845/14]
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.
697. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive an MRI scan. [25851/14]
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.
