Written Answers Nos. 196-207
196. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if plans to introduce the new statutory travel payment scheme to replace the motorised transport grant and other transport supports for persons with disabilities are now at an advanced stage; and when the new scheme will be in place. [36221/14]
View answerConscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance schemes, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes on 26th February, 2013.
On 26th November 2013, the Government decided that the preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health.
Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. Once approved by Government, the time frame for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer.
197. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the application for the nursing home support scheme in respect of a person (details supplied). [36240/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
198. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a health centre (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36241/14]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
199. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a case of a person (details supplied). [36243/14]
View answerThe Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) are working in a structured way towards the development and implementation of a national individualised budgeting framework in the context of implementing the recommendations in the Value for Money (VFM) and Policy Review of Disability Services in Ireland. The move towards individualised budgeting in the disability sector also mirrors the wider changes in the health and social care sector described in Future Health: A Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 – 2015.
The move towards the development and implementation of a national individualised budgeting framework raises legal and practical issues, and will require careful consideration and planning. Future Health explains that central to the introduction of individualised budgeting will be suitable financial systems; transparent and comprehensive governance arrangements; a National Standard Needs Assessment framework; underpinning legislation; and the introduction of a regulatory system for providers to ensure quality and safety for the recipients of social services.
Demonstration projects are already underway to examine the practical aspects of introducing this major change in the disability sector and to establish the costs and benefits. An analysis of the projects will be necessary to determine their wider applicability, clarify the issues which must be resolved before the projects can be scaled up, and identify the best way forward. The completion of this analysis is a primary recommendation in the VFM Review and is required for all significant public service expenditure proposals.
In relation to the specifics in this particular case, I have referred this question to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
200. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that the discretionary medical card of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath, which was terminated some months ago without any explanation, is now reissued to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36247/14]
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.
201. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health his views on a request from the Irish Pharmacy Union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36248/14]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), is the competent authority for the regulation of medicines in Ireland. The HPRA is responsible for determining the method of sale and supply of a medicine and also determining whether it should be available on prescription, or not.
The HPRA is committed to the current Irish health care policy which aims, where appropriate, to provide patients with increased access to safe medicines, at the lowest level of complexity and cost. In July 2014, the HPRA published a list of 12 active substances contained in medicines currently classified as prescription-only medicines (POM), which could be safely reclassified to be available for sale “over the counter” (OTC) in pharmacies. This list includes products for the treatment of migraine, acid-reflux symptoms, hay fever, cold sores, muscle pain and inflammation, fungal skin and nail infections and other inflammatory skin conditions.
This was a significant development. It represented the outcome of measures which have been undertaken by the HPRA to explore unmet needs in the availability of non-prescription medicines in Ireland. It also follows recommendations made by an independent consultative panel established by the HPRA to specifically assist its review of this area.
Arising from the publication of the above mentioned list, expressions of interest in reclassification of certain medicines have been received from the marketing authorisation holders (MAHs). The HPRA is now working with manufacturers and MAHs to progress.
In reclassifying a medicine there are number of factors that need to be considered. These include the safety profile of the product, the proposed condition for treatment, the expected duration of use, the suitability of a condition for self diagnosis with or without the intervention of a pharmacist, the potential for interactions with other medicines and the possibility of misuse. In the relation to the medicines highlighted by the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) (fluconazole, chlorampenicol and aspirin), the decision on reclassification is more complex due to additional safety concerns relating to the use of these medicines. The HPRA is continuing to review these concerns.
HPRA will continue to consider medicines which may be suitable for reclassification.
202. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if an insulin pump will be provided to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36253/14]
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.
203. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has been referred by a general practitioner to Cork University Hospital for a hip replacement will be provided with a date for the procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36278/14]
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.
204. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork who has been referred to the autistic spectrum disorder, Cork, will be provided with an appointment with the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36279/14]
View answerAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
205. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when an application for a medical card in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36280/14]
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.
206. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when a decision on a medical card application will issue in respect a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36286/14]
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.
207. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a decision will issue on a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon; the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36289/14]
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.
