Written Answers Nos. 141-150
141. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Health the reason the motorised transport scheme has still not been replaced; his plans for a replacement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42541/14]
View answerThe Department is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the costs of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.
Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance scheme, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes on 26 February, 2013. In 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. The challenge is to provide these benefits to a wider cohort of people, while continuing to cater for the 4,700 people already in receipt of a monthly payment, within a limited budget.
Once policy proposals have been finalised and approved by Government, the time frame for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer.
142. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the action he has taken to address the welfare issues arising from the continuing practice of the Health Service Executive of admitting children to adult mental health facilities; the steps he has taken to ensure that all staff in such units have Garda vetting and that each unit has a child protection officer; if his Department has carried out any investigation or study into the welfare of such children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42575/14]
View answer167. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if all approved centres, under the meaning of the Mental Health Act 2001, including adult mental health units into which children have been admitted, are in compliance with section 17 of S.I. No. 551/2006 - Mental Health Act 2001 (Approved Centres) Regulations 2006; the action taken to ensure that all such centres are in compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42536/14]
View answer173. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of every adult mental health facility or unit where children have been admitted in each year from 2011 to date in 2014 inclusive where Garda vetting of all staff who would have come into contact with said children has not taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42572/14]
View answer174. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that the welfare of children is adequately protected in mental health care facilities where the staff of same do not have Garda vetting; the safeguards in place to secure the welfare of such children; if he has commissioned any reports into the welfare issues raised by this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42573/14]
View answer175. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the continuing practice of admitting children to adult mental health units, if he will confirm that all such units or facilities where children have been admitted since 2011 have a designated child protection officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42574/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 167 and 173 to 175, inclusive, together.
The principal functions of the Mental Health Commission are to promote, encourage and foster the establishment and maintenance of high standards in the delivery of mental health services and to take all reasonable steps to protect the interests of all persons, including children, in approved centres under the Mental Health Act 2001. The Commission also appoints the Inspector of Mental Health Services who, in accordance with the Act, is required to visit and inspect every approved centre annually and, as the Inspectorate thinks appropriate, to visit and inspect any other premises where mental health services are being provided.
Under the 2001 Act, the Commission has a number of powers in relation to approved centres. These include the attachment of any conditions it considers appropriate to the registration of such centres. Such conditions could include the requirement to introduce or to review specified policies, protocols and procedures relating to the care and welfare of residents. In addition, the Commission can prepare codes of practice for the guidance of persons working in the mental health services. As a consequence of the Commission carrying out its functions, I am satisfied that the rights of patients are regularly and appropriately reviewed in line with mental health legislation.
In regard to the temporary admissions of some children to adult units, this arises only where an appropriate placement is not available and the Mental Health Commission must be informed outlining the circumstances of the admission. Services must outline what efforts have been made to admit the chid to an age appropriate approved centre and what are the plans to place the child in an age appropriate approved centre in line with Section 33(3)(e) of the Mental Health Act 2001.
In regard to the specific service and welfare issues raised by the Deputy these are the statutory operational responsibility of the HSE and have been referred to the Executive for direct reply. If he has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, I would ask him to please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
143. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite the application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42681/14]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
144. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing a general practitioner card to all aged 65 and over. [42469/14]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
145. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing a general practitioner card to all aged 66 and over. [42470/14]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
146. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing a general practitioner card to all aged 68 and over. [42471/14]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
147. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing a medical card on the basis of the current criteria for the over 70s to all in the age group 65 to 69. [42472/14]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
148. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing a medical card on the basis of the current criteria for the over 70s to all in the age group 66 to 69. [42473/14]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
149. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing a medical card on the basis of the current criteria for the over 70s to all in the age group 68 to 69. [42474/14]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
150. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing a general practitioner card to all aged ten and under. [42475/14]
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.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
