Wednesday, 21 Jan 2015

Written Answers Nos. 150 - 157

Court Orders

Questions (150)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to an eviction which took place (details supplied) in County Kildare wherein a person was evicted from their dwelling; if the eviction was carried out in accordance with due process and natural justice; if on foot of a court order or a letter from the Private Residential Tenancies Board, her attention has been drawn to the composition of the five-man group who effected the eviction, one of whom purported to be a member of An Garda Síochána; if any, all or none of the group involved were members of An Garda Síochána or falsely presented themselves as members of the force; if her attention has been drawn to the legal consequences in the event of the latter; if, as alleged, the gardaí, when called by the tenant, were asked to leave by those enforcing the eviction and if so, on what basis; if charges are pending arising from the incident; if any provision has been made for the tenant to collect their personal effects in the presence and under the supervision of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3060/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As the Deputy will be aware, I have no role in relation to executing court orders. The courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. It is therefore not open to me to comment or intervene in any way on the conduct or decision of a particular court case which is a matter entirely for the presiding judge.

The Sheriff (or County Registrar acting as Sheriff) is responsible to the Court for the Enforcement of the Court Orders and the law and procedures governing the execution of Court Orders is contained in the Enforcement of Court Orders Acts, 1926 to 1940 and the Rules of Court made thereunder and I have no function in this matter. Any dispute in relation to the enforcement of a Court Order is a matter for the Courts.

Scéim na dTinneas Fadtéarmach

Questions (151)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

151. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Sláinte an dtabharfaidh sé sonraí faoi liosta na dtinneas fadtréimhseach; an bhfuil beartaithe téarmaí ar nós 'mental handicap' a athrú ar an liosta i bhfianaise an téarma sin a bheith seanchaite agus dímholta; an bhfuil beartaithe nuashonrú eile a dhéanamh ar an liosta i bhfianaise na dtinneas fadtréimhseach ar fad atá air ach nach dtugtar aitheantas dóibh a thuilleadh; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [2879/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Bunaíodh an Scéim Tinneas Fadtéarmach de réir Alt 59(3) den Acht Sláinte 1970 (mar atá leasaithe). Rinneadh rialacháin le linn 1971, 1973 agus 1975 ag sonrú na riocht atá clúdaithe faoin Scéim Tinneas Fadtéarmach, atá mar a leanas: Bac intinne/ meabhair, Tinneas intinne (do dhaoine faoi 16 d'aois amháin), Diabetes insipidus, Diabetes mellitus, Haemafilia, Pairilis cheirbreach, Feinilcéatónúire, Titeamas, Fiobríos chisteach, Scléaróis iolrach, Spina bifida, Diostróife Mhatánach, Hidriceifileas, Galar Parkinson, Géarleoicéime and reachta de thoradh Tailídimíde.

Faoi láthair, níl i gceist cur le liosta na riocht faoin Scéim Tinneas Fadtéarmach nó an téarmaíocht sa Scéim a leasú.

Medical Card Data

Questions (152)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

152. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form for 1 January 2014 and 1 January 2015 for each local health area the number of medical cards in circulation; the number issued on the basis of the exercise of discretion; and the number of which allocated to over 70s. [2905/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The medical card figures, as requested by the Deputy, are provided below for 1 January 2015 and 1 January 2014.

1/1/2014

LHO	Medical Cards	Of which Discretionary	Over 70	Of which Discretionary
Carlow/ Kilkenny	60,936	1,480	10,466	130
Cavan/ Monaghan	59,546	1,050	10,369	56
Clare	49,107	1,870	9,377	314
Cork - North Lee	81,031	3,548	13,687	303
Cork - South Lee	62,696	2,187	14,535	232
Donegal	89,665	1,804	14,324	96
Dublin North Central	54,306	996	11,856	106
Dublin South City	38,374	613	8,793	61
Dublin South East	24,672	509	8,904	61
Dublin South West	68,136	1,563	11,911	109
Dublin West	61,965	1,137	7,616	41
Dun Laoghaire	24,591	535	10,116	80
Galway	102,979	2,385	18,950	79
Kerry	60,991	2,140	13,142	188
Kildare/ West Wicklow	76,445	2,432	11,760	164
Laois/ Offaly	69,860	2,502	11,384	206
Limerick	80,289	2,673	15,246	460
Longford/ Westmeath	57,243	1,358	9,633	94
Louth	61,937	756	9,770	46
Mayo	66,377	1,391	13,112	42
Meath	68,280	983	10,553	32
North Cork	35,736	1,982	7,609	108
North Dublin	81,130	2,387	17,414	300
North Tipp./ East Limerick	30,716	1,599	6,399	191
North West Dublin	69,546	1,254	11,070	91
Roscommon	30,178	885	6,385	64
Sligo/ Leitrim	42,821	1,490	9,042	77
South Tipperary	42,126	1,487	8,177	183
Waterford	57,602	1,838	10,500	200
West Cork	21,804	901	5,707	69
Wexford	71,645	1,441	12,248	57
Wicklow	46,650	1,118	8,561	63
Total National	1,849,380	50,294	348,616	4,303

1/1/2015

LHO	Medical Cards	Of which Discretionary	Over 70	Of which Discretionary
Carlow/ Kilkenny	58,730	2,369	10,133	179
Cavan/ Monaghan	56,871	1,860	10,013	96
Clare	46,120	2,587	8,927	335
Cork - North Lee	78,439	5,097	13,293	404
Cork - South Lee	60,189	3,232	13,424	308
Donegal	86,621	3,004	14,242	223
Dublin North Central	53,855	1,596	10,704	182
Dublin South City	36,380	1,003	7,592	123
Dublin South East	22,884	801	7,358	132
Dublin South West	65,418	2,290	11,154	180
Dublin West	59,688	1,871	7,220	83
Dun Laoghaire	21,767	777	7,909	134
Galway	98,200	3,901	18,067	184
Kerry	59,013	3,027	12,603	248
Kildare/ West Wicklow	73,255	3,609	11,231	261
Laois/ Offaly	68,034	3,707	10,992	275
Limerick	77,253	3,706	14,482	486
Longford/ Westmeath	55,745	2,172	9,221	147
Louth	59,525	1,495	9,365	97
Mayo	62,610	2,333	12,659	92
Meath	65,130	1,861	10,228	75
North Cork	33,768	2,706	7,204	156
North Dublin	75,675	3,612	15,895	433
North Tipp./ East Limerick	29,369	2,042	6,144	224
North West Dublin	64,571	2,024	10,116	164
Roscommon	28,738	1,351	6,168	97
Sligo/ Leitrim	41,247	2,216	8,659	144
South Tipperary	40,831	2,213	7,893	196
Waterford	54,731	2,791	10,102	205
West Cork	20,776	1,332	5,424	102
Wexford	68,719	2,381	11,951	141
Wicklow	44,548	1,699	8,005	106
Total National	1,768,700	76,665	328,378	6,212

Treatment Abroad Scheme

Questions (153)

Noel Grealish

Question:

153. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if his Department has a scheme to provide funding for persons who need to have specialist surgery carried out in the USA, when this surgery is not available here or in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2911/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE operates the Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) for persons entitled to treatment in another EU/EEA member state or Switzerland under EU Regulation (EC) No. 883/2004, as per the procedures set out in EU Regulations (EC) No. 987/2009, and in accordance with Department of Health Guidelines. Patients have the ability to apply to the HSE TAS seeking access to public health care outside the state through model form E112. The application requires the patient's Irish based public referring hospital consultant, following clinical assessment, to certify, among other things, that the treatment is medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs. The treatment must not be available within the State or not available within a time normally necessary for obtaining it.

There is no statutory framework for referral of patients outside the EU/EEA member states. In the instance that a consultant wishes to refer a patient to a non-EU/EEA country e.g. the USA, the HSE TAS applies the TAS administrative process and documentation for the purposes of such applications. Such applications for treatment in non-EU/EEA countries are required to provide evidence that the treatment is not available within the EU/EEA.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (154)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

154. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2912/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

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.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (155)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

155. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the details of the reported anomaly relating to medical card eligibility in respect of persons aged between 18 and 26 years who, following changes to eligibility, will have their social welfare entitlement reduced to €100 per week if they are not full-time students and where they do not qualify for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2913/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

People aged 16 to 25 years that are eligible for a medical card are those who are dependants of a medical card holder or who are financially independent in their own right and come within the medical card guidelines. Some persons aged between 16 and 25 years in receipt of social welfare payments may not qualify for a medical card where they have not demonstrated that they are not financially dependant on another person.

Previously, a person in receipt of weekly income greater than or equal to the Supplementary Welfare Allowance was deemed to be financially independent. The HSE has changed this practice. Currently, a person in the age group 16 to 25 years, whose income is equivalent to or greater than €164 per week, is considered to be financially independent. Such a person can be assessed in his/her own right against the medical card assessment guidelines.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (156)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

156. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Wexford will receive an orthosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2923/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As 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.

HSE National Service Plan

Questions (157)

Micheál Martin

Question:

157. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health if a revised Health Service Executive plan will be published to take account of cancelling elective surgery and admissions and reallocation of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2929/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Service Executive's National Service Plan sets out the type and volume of health and personal social services that the Executive proposes to deliver during the course of this year. The 2015 Budget increased the funding available for health and social care services by €635 million - the first increase after a period of seven years of significant retrenchment - and this increased level of investment is reflected in the provisions of the Plan.

It is acknowledged that the opening weeks of the year have witnessed very considerable pressure in the Emergency Departments of our hospitals. In setting scheduled care (elective) activity targets within the National Service Plan the following is taken into account:

- Requirement to schedule activity in line with peaks and troughs in demand

- Agreement to implement scheduled care improvement plan including:

- Increase Day of Surgery admission rates;

- Increase Day Surgery rates in line with Clinical Care Programme Guidelines;

- Reductions in Average Length of Stay;

- Shift Care to appropriate settings,

In this context there is provision for a 2.5% increase in Day Surgery set out in NSP 2015. The HSE remains fully committed to achieving its Service Plan targets over the course of the year.