Written Answers Nos. 427-442
427. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2555/15]
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.
428. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2556/15]
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.
429. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Longford will receive an appointment for an urgent operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2557/15]
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, 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 my officials will follow the matter up with them.
430. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health the form of procurement process that is in place in hospitals in need of certain supports (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2559/15]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
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.
431. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an application for specially fitted shoes in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2561/15]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. 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 the matter up with the HSE.
432. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide enhanced medical card cover to the survivors of residential institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2574/15]
View answerThe Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board was established on 25 March 2013 by the Minister for Education and Skills under the provisions of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. The role of the Board is to oversee the use of the cash contributions to the fund to support the needs of survivors of residential institutional child abuse, including mental health and health and personal social services.
I understand that the funding provides for the health and personal social services for survivors such as GP, medical, and surgical treatment, hospital treatment, pharmacy services including drugs and medical or surgical appliances and aids, home help and other services to help people remain in their own homes, dental, ophthalmic or aural services, and ancillary services such as chiropody, chiropractic, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry or speech therapy. In addition, counselling and psychological support services are covered.
In view of the comprehensive suite of services outlined above, I do not propose that any other services be considered by my Department.
433. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if their previous medical card is still valid pending the decision of the appeals officer. [2591/15]
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.
434. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2616/15]
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.
435. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health when the Children's Ark was built at the University Hospital, Limerick; the reason en suite bathrooms were not provided with wash hand basins; and his views that this is a contributor to difficulties in infection control. [2624/15]
View answerAs 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 my officials will follow the matter up.
436. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health his plans for older persons resident in long-term residential units with no means for payment of residential care costs for their stay in nursing homes for the period between approval by the Health Service Executive and their fair deal commencing which is often three to four months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2626/15]
View answerThe HSE controls the rate at which funding is released in order to operate within budget for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme. All applicants approved for the Scheme are put on the national placement list in order of their approval date to ensure equity nationally.
Individuals who are awaiting funding approval can contact their local HSE Area Manager's Office to discuss their circumstances and the options that may be available in the interim. The provision of services is, however, subject to the level of resources available.
437. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health the action he will take to address the nursing staff shortage at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2627/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the matter. 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.
438. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for an outreach centre or suicide prevention programme to service counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2629/15]
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.
439. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of section 38 funding that was allocated to counties Longford and Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2630/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) funds a range of service providers under section 38 of the Health Act 2004 and the question has been 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.
440. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 376 of 25 November 2014, if he will provide an update on the level of care and services provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; when this was put in place; if not, when is it planned to be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2631/15]
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. 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.
441. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with a disability group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2636/15]
View answerMy Office has recently received a meeting request from this organisation and it is currently being considered.
