Written Answers Nos. 175-83
175. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no ministerial policy to ensure that patients in receipt of home dialysis are to be supported by the Health Service Executive for the extra electricity cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43627/14]
View answerI understand that tax relief is available in respect of certain medical expenses. In the case of home dialysis, this can include electricity expenses, telephone expenses, laundry and certain travel allowances. Further information is available from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners or through their website at http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/it/leaflets/it6.html#section4.
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the way urgent access to best medical attention may be achieved in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43630/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when cochlear hearing implants will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43639/14]
View answerIn relation to the particular patient query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will accept an appeal in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in respect of a decision not to offer orthodontic treatment; when it is likely the result of such an appeal will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43642/14]
View answerThe 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 called the Modified Index of Treatment Need. Patients with the greatest level of need are provided with treatment. There is an appeals process within the HSE, through which decisions taken by personnel of the HSE relating to applications for specified services and entitlements may be reviewed. The Minister for Health has no role in this process.
179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the basis on which the primary care reimbursement service came to the conclusion that the circumstances have changed in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43646/14]
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.
180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the basis on which the primary care reimbursement service came to the conclusion that the circumstances have change in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43647/14]
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.
181. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health in view of the immense benefit assistance dogs provide to children with autism, if he will provide funding in order that families do not have to fund-raise almost €5,000 themselves to get an assistance dog for their child. [43652/14]
View answerThe allocation of such funding is a matter for the Health Service Executive in the first instance and would need to be considered in light of available resources and the relevant service priorities of the Executive. I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
182. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the supports and services available to persons with Huntington's disease; if there will be any Irish participation in Enroll-HD, a worldwide observational study for Huntington's disease families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43659/14]
View answerThe supports provided by the Health Service Executive to people with Huntington's Disease involve a multi-disciplinary team approach. This approach incorporates the provision of health and personal supports and incorporates Acute Hospital Services, Primary Care, Community Services and specialists disability supports and services.
The Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland provides consultation, information and individualised support to those diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, their families and their health care team. The Health Service Executive recognises the valuable contribution the Association provides to those who suffer from Huntington's Disease, their families and carers. The HSE provided a grant totalling €68,887 in 2013 to support the Association in their work.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the HSE.
183. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if any of the additional funding provided for mental health services will be used to augment psychology services provided through the primary care directorate which assist persons with mild to moderate psychological difficulties; if not, if he will liaise with the Health Service Executive to ensure that such services receive additional funding as part of the HSE's service plan for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43661/14]
View answerThe additional €35 million for mental health services in Budget 2015 brings to €125 million the total investment for mental health services since 2012. This additional allocation is for the development and modernisation of the services in line with the recommendations of A Vision for Change. The additional funding for mental health will be directed towards the continued prioritised development and reconfiguration of Community Mental Health Teams. It will also permit urgent specialist needs to be addressed. The details will be agreed with the HSE in the context of approval of its 2015 National Service Plan, which will also outline the total amount of funding for mental health services in 2015.
90% of the mental health needs of the population are appropriately addressed through Primary Care service as part of their overall health and well-being. Community psychology is a primary care based and led service. Mental health services are designed to respond to the needs of those with a more acute mental health need and in assessing and diagnosing mental illness. In resourcing these mental health services, there is commitment to working with all health providers in building resilience, supporting improved mental health and reducing loss of life through suicide.
