Wednesday, 17 Sep 2014

Written Answers Nos 1098-1128

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1098)

Robert Troy

Question:

1098. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [34444/14]

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1099)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1099. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a general practitioner visit card in respect of a person (Details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34458/14]

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1100)

Finian McGrath

Question:

1100. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding medical card applications in respect of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34459/14]

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.

Question No. 1101 answered with Question No. 800.

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

Questions (1102)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1102. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if the drug task forces will be asked to draw up new action plans in consultation with their local communities in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34517/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and coordinating action at local level so that there is a targeted response to the drug problem in local communities. In line with the National Drugs Strategy, each Task Force submits an Annual Report to my Department. This includes an annual work plan, setting out the key priorities and actions for the coming year on the basis of locally identified needs. These plans are agreed at Task Force level, which includes representation from local communities.

National Drugs Strategy Implementation

Questions (1103)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1103. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health his views on the connection between social disadvantage and drug abuse and, in particular, between social disadvantage and heroin abuse; his plans for a comprehensive, across government, approach to this issue led by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34518/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016 is a cross cutting area of public policy and service delivery. It is based on a co-ordinated approach across many Government Departments and Agencies in conjunction with the Community and Voluntary sectors and I intend that this approach will continue.

The overall objective of the Strategy is to tackle the harm caused to individuals and society by the misuse of drugs through a concerted focus on the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. Periodic reviews of progress across the pillars of the Strategy are carried out through the Oversight Forum on Drugs which I chair and these are posted on my Department's website.

The link between social disadvantage and problem drug use, in particular heroin use, is acknowledged in the National Drugs Strategy. However, the Strategy also recognises that problem drug use by an individual, or a group of people, is rarely caused by a single factor. Instead, the interplay between multiple conditions and factors that put an individual at risk of using or developing problems with drugs influences the experience or outcome. These complex or interlinked factors will vary between communities and individuals.

In recent years, the nature and scale of the drug problem has changed, due to the increasing geographic dispersal of problem drug use, the wider prevalence of polydrug use and the emergence of new psychoactive substances. The response of the HSE has involved the re-orientation of its addiction services towards polydrug issues, using a 4-tiered model approach as a national framework through which to deliver services. Solid progress is being made with a reduction in waiting times for access to services particularly outside the Dublin area, increased availability of places in rehabilitation programmes as well as the continued expansion of the pharmacy needle exchange programme. This work is being complemented by greater focus on integrated care plans for individuals backed up by more co-ordinated inter-agency working.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (1104)

Tom Fleming

Question:

1104. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite additional home help hours in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34587/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1105)

Tom Fleming

Question:

1105. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will review a medical card application in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34589/14]

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (1106)

Michael Ring

Question:

1106. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Health when a discretionary medical card will be restored to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [34590/14]

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.

Nursing Staff Provision

Questions (1107)

Seán Kenny

Question:

1107. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of staff nurse positions that were vacant as of 8 September 2014 in each public and voluntary hospital; the number of these positions filled by locums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34595/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (1108)

Jack Wall

Question:

1108. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health the reason a medical card was withdrawn without notification in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34598/14]

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (1109)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1109. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the waiting list for elective surgery at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin; the numbers on the waiting list; the average waiting time; if further resources will be provided to increase the number of operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34599/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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

Dental Services Provision

Questions (1110)

Tom Fleming

Question:

1110. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a dental appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34610/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.

General Practitioner Services

Questions (1111)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1111. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34618/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. 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 case raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Ambulance Service Provision

Questions (1112)

David Stanton

Question:

1112. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health with regard to the reviews of the National Ambulance Service, if the National Capacity Review, the Health Information and Quality Authority audit and review and the Health Service Executive special performance and quality review have been completed; if not, when he expects them to be completed; if each review will be published in full; the changes to be made to the current arrangements for emergency ambulance services as a result of these reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34639/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

It is my understanding that the three reviews of the pre-hospital emergency care system currently underway will be completed before the end of the year. While it would be premature at this stage to speculate on the outcome of the reviews, I am confident that these reviews will contribute to the development of a modern, properly resourced, clinically driven service which will provide appropriate and timely ambulance services for the benefit of patients.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (1113)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a wheelchair will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34646/14]

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.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (1114)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if urgent home help will be provided in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare, who both have special needs and suffer from Cowden's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34647/14]

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.

Question No. 1115 answered with Question No. 761.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (1116)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

1116. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare who is wheelchair bound and suffers from spina bifida, neurogenic bladder, chronic kidney disease with reflux nephropathy and anaemia has been refused a discretionary medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34698/14]

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.

Early Childhood Care Education

Questions (1117)

Michael Lowry

Question:

1117. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an application submitted by the Health Service Executive for additional pre-school assistance to his Department in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; his views on whether three hours' assistance is sufficient in this case; if he will sanction funding for additional hours for this person in view of the personal circumstances outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34699/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, provides for a free pre-school year to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. The objective of this scheme is to support early learning in a formal setting in advance of starting school. I understand that certain flexibilities are built into the scheme in an effort to accommodate children with special needs, such as an overage exemption, or waiver, for children with special needs who do not meet the age criteria and the option to avail of the free pre-school year over two years.

The Health Service Executive has no statutory obligation to provide assistant supports for children with special needs wishing to avail of the free pre-school year. However, the HSE does work at local level and in partnership with the relevant disability service providers to address individual needs as they arise. This is done, for example, by funding special pre-schools that cater specifically for children with disabilities. In some cases at local level, disability services have also facilitated children with disabilities to attend mainstream pre-schools by providing assistant supports where possible and where resources are available.

In general terms, the HSE’s role in supporting children with disabilities involves it working in close co-operation with the disability service providers that it funds, with the education sector, with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and with the parents and families of the children in question. However, there is a need to strengthen these arrangements. At a national level, a dedicated Cross-Sectoral Team, comprising representatives of my Department, the HSE, the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs plays a key role in fostering greater collaboration on children’s disability issues and to build on the cross-sectoral working arrangements that are already in place. A sub group of this Cross-Sectoral Team has been set up to examine the issues around the integration of children with disabilities into mainstream pre-school settings, building on previous analysis in this area. Representatives of the Departments of Health, Children and Youth Affairs, Education and Skills, the Health Service Executive and of the City and County Childcare Committees are members of this group and it is chaired by the Department of Health. The issue of supports for children with disabilities in mainstream pre-school settings is being looked by this sub-group.

Within this context, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in respect of the individual case that he has raised.

Industrial Relations

Questions (1118)

Seán Kyne

Question:

1118. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the efforts to address the issue of sleepover duty which extends the working hours for some staff members in health care facilities beyond the statutory 48 hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34700/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

This issue was considered at a Labour Court hearing on Thursday, 11th September, 2014. It is expected that the Labour Court Recommendation will be received shortly.

Mental Health Services Provision

Questions (1119)

Seán Kyne

Question:

1119. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the progress on the 50 bed acute unit for mental health services in County Galway; and if provision is being made to have the requisite number of personnel available to staff the unit which is an important addition to health services in the west. [34707/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (1120)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

1120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a GP visit card was provided instead of medical card in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; if a financial breakdown of the decision can be furnished to the applicant who was not informed why such decision was made when he had a medical card previously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34710/14]

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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Questions (1121)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1121. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when assistance under the nursing home support scheme will be made available to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34712/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Pension Provisions

Questions (1122)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1122. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of retired home help workers who are on a waiting list to have their pension entitlements granted; his plans to expedite this process; the time a person on average has to wait for the application to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34718/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this relates to an operational matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply.

Proposed Legislation

Questions (1123)

Michael McCarthy

Question:

1123. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the progress to date on the autism Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34726/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

In March 2013, a Private Members Bill entitled the Autism Bill 2012 was debated and passed Second Stage in the Dail. The Bill, as introduced, makes provision for the preparation of an autism strategy and a national framework for addressing the specific needs of adults with autism. The broad trust of the Bill was accepted by Government and it was not opposed at Second Stage. Although the needs of people with autism have received some recognition in recent years, the Bill is seen as contributing to a more enlightened and educated public debate.

In the context of the Autism Bill, it is important to note that the Government is already committed under the National Disability Strategy (NDS) to ensuring that people with autism are empowered by policy and programmes to participate meaningfully as citizens in Irish society. The NDS is driven by this basic but fundamentally important objective and is the most effective combination of legislation, policies, institutional arrangements and services to support and reinforce equal participation for all people with disabilities.

The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has been examining issues around autism across Government Departments in association with the National Disability Authority (NDA). This work by the NDA, which has included consultation with families, will be of significant assistance in informing how best to address the needs of people with ASD, so that we can be sure that they are appropriately reflected and included in policies and actions.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Administration

Questions (1124)

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

1124. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Health his views on delays in paying the fair deal grants; if the grants will be paid from the date of accommodation; the steps he will take to deal with the backlog of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34727/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Questions Nos. 1125 and 1126 answered with Question No. 1015.

Health Services Provision

Questions (1127)

Brendan Smith

Question:

1127. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that there will be no reduction in services provided at a centre (details supplied) in County Cavan; if his attention has been drawn to the importance of the services provided at that centre to a large elderly population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34740/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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

Hospital Appointments Administration

Questions (1128)

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

1128. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Health when a surgical appointment will take place in respect of a person (details supplied); if this appointment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34744/14]

Written answers

Minister for Health

In relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.