Wednesday, 16 Jul 2014

Written Answers Nos. 221 - 230

Health Services Staff Remuneration

Questions (221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

221. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the total cost in hiring one chiropodist. [31693/14]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

222. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the total cost in hiring one health care assistant. [31694/14]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

223. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the total cost in hiring one home help. [31695/14]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

224. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the total cost in hiring one occupational therapist. [31696/14]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

225. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the total cost in hiring one physiotherapist. [31697/14]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

226. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the total cost in hiring one social worker. [31698/14]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

227. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the total cost in hiring one receptionist/clerical officer. [31699/14]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

228. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the total cost in hiring one administrator. [31700/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 228, inclusive, together.

Having clarified with Caroline in the Deputy's office, I understand that the figures sought are the pay scale for each grade in question. The scales for each grade are listed in the table. They are taken directly from the 1st November 2013 pay scales. The Deputy also sought the total cost of hiring an administrator however this is not a grade in the health sector.

This link to the pay scale may be of interest also.

http://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/department-of-health-and-children-consolidated-salary-scales-clause-2-31-of-the-haddington-road-agreement/

1st November 2013 Merged Pay Scales Euro €

CHIROPODIST	33,969	36,040	37,743	38,982	40,031	41,118	42,191	43,293	44,389	45,484	46,638	47,851	49,062	50,033	LSI	-
CHIROPODIST, SENIOR	50,134	51,224	52,348	53,463	54,578	55,750	56,987	58,220	59,208	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
HOME HELPS	24,754	26,330	27,504	27,994	28,494	28,987	29,492	30,044	30,525	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
HOME HELPS (NON-PAYPATH)	25,096	25,737	27,884	28,041	28,199	28,287	28,376	28,466	28,552	28,642	28,730	28,827	28,918	29,016	29,109	-
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST	33,969	36,040	37,743	38,982	40,031	41,118	42,191	43,293	44,389	45,484	46,638	47,851	49,062	50,033	LSI	-
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, SENIOR	50,134	51,224	52,348	53,463	54,578	55,750	56,987	58,220	59,208	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
PHYSIOTHERAPIST	33,969	36,040	37,743	38,982	40,031	41,118	42,191	43,293	44,389	45,484	46,638	47,851	49,062	50,033	LSI	-
PHYSIOTHERAPIST, SENIOR	50,134	51,224	52,348	53,463	54,578	55,750	56,987	58,220	59,208	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
SOCIAL WORKER	32,351	34,939	35,945	37,841	39,802	41,767	43,723	45,707	47,666	49,171	50,680	51,680	LSI	-	-	-
PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED SOCIAL WORKER	38,819	41,667	43,132	45,242	47,351	49,462	51,570	53,677	55,789	56,889	LSI	-	-	-	-	-
CLERICAL OFFICER GRADE	21,358	22,826	23,187	24,276	25,362	26,452	27,542	28,626	29,683	30,739	31,800	32,856	33,921	35,919	37,341	LSI
GRADE IV (CLERICAL)	25,497	27,312	28,330	30,346	32,378	33,891	35,354	37,329	38,764	40,209	41,547	42,891	LSIs	-	-	-
GRADE V (CLERICAL)	40,209	41,522	42,834	44,146	45,458	46,980	48,496	LSIs	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
GRADE VI (CLERICAL)	44,849	45,954	47,291	49,795	51,295	53,157	55,032	LSIs	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
GRADE VII (CLERICAL)	47,015	48,186	49,558	50,933	52,314	53,545	54,801	56,022	57,234	59,322	61,417	LSIs	-	-	-	-

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (229)

Clare Daly

Question:

229. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health with regard to the provision of free general practitioner medical cards for over 70s, if this will operate like the drug payment card; and if it can be used in any pharmacy or if persons will have to visit public sector general practitioners in view of the fact that in many areas there are only private practices and all areas experience waiting lists. [31702/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As set out in the recent Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016, the Government has decided that, as the second phase of implementing the universal GP service for the entire population, all persons over the age of 70 years will qualify for a GP service without fees. Changes to the eligibility for a universal GP service for persons over 70 years of age will require primary legislation. The position in respect of choice of GP will be clarified when the requisite legislation and contractual arrangements are in place.

Medical Card Delays

Questions (230)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

230. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if the unacceptable delays in the processing of a medical card appeal will be investigated in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31707/14]

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.