Robert Troy
Question:129. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a medical card on both medical and financial grounds in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [38616/14]
View answerMedical Card Applications
Questions (129)
Written answers
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 Aids and Appliances Applications
Questions (130)
Seán Fleming
Question:130. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be provided a hearing aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38617/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive Community Audiology service administers and monitors hearing tests for adults who are at risk for hearing loss. Appointments for the audiology service are sent in a strict chronology according to clinical priorities and date of receipt of referral. The HSE has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services
Questions (131)
Pearse Doherty
Question:131. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his views on allocating a senior podiatrist to Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, in the 2015 service plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38629/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (132)
Pearse Doherty
Question:132. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the circumstances in which an allowance is given for life assurance in respect of a medical card application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38630/14]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Health Services
Questions (133)
Pearse Doherty
Question:133. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason only two places were available on the Health Service Executive sponsorship programme last year; his plans to increase these places next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38631/14]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
Medical Aids and Appliances Provision
Questions (134)
Micheál Martin
Question:134. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if a policy change has taken place which now means that the provision of home concentrator and portable oxygen cylinders are to be provided directly by nursing homes and that the cost is no longer covered by the medical card of a patient-resident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38646/14]
View answerWritten answers
This matter has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Question No. 135 answered with Question No. 107.
Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 111.
National Drugs Strategy Implementation
Questions (137)
Terence Flanagan
Question:137. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the national drugs strategy and his views on achievements to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38662/14]
View answerWritten answers
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. A progress report is prepared each year and the latest report for 2013 is available on my Department’s website. My Department are starting work on developing the Strategy so that it can meet the challenges into the future.
Ministerial Meetings
Questions (138)
Terence Flanagan
Question:138. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he will meet a delegation from the drug task forces in advance of budget 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38663/14]
View answerWritten answers
The allocations to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in 2015 will be determined in the context of the Estimates process, taking into account the need to protect frontline service provision as far as possible. In line with the National Drugs Strategy, I plan to arrange a meeting with the chairs and coordinators of the Task Forces in due course.
Health Insurance Cover
Questions (139)
Michael McGrath
Question:139. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce measures to address an issue raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38666/14]
View answerWritten answers
Similar to other non-life insurance contracts, health insurance contracts generally have a duration of twelve months. I understand that current market practice for the health insurers is to apply a cancellation charge equal to the stamp duty levy to customers who cancel policies or opt to change provider mid-contract. An administration fee may also be charged.
It is a matter for the insurance companies as to the extent, if any, they pass this levy on to their customers. Provisions for the payment of the levy are contained in Section 125A of the Stamp Duty Consolidation Act 1999, and are administered by the Revenue Commissioners. The Revenue Commissioners has issued guidelines to insurers which highlight that only one levy is payable in any twelve month period for each insured person.
Disability Support Services
Questions (140, 164)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:140. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when the alternative payment to the motorised transport grant and the mobility allowance will be put into place considering that it was promised that the details of the payment would be announced in June 2012. [38670/14]
View answer
Catherine Murphy
Question:164. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the supports available to families that are on a social welfare payment and not able to access the disabled drivers scheme as it is suspended for those families; the way he plans to support these families with a family member who requires specialist transport for their disabled family member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38793/14]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 164 together.
Conscious 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.
The Disabled Drivers and Passengers Tax Concession Scheme is operated by the Revenue Commissioners. The scheme provides a range of tax reliefs linked to the purchase and use of vehicles by disabled drivers and disabled passengers in Ireland.
There is no scheme which would provide finance to a person with a disability to purchase a car/vehicle where the individual cannot afford to purchase a car/vehicle as outlined by the Deputy.