Written Answers Nos. 190-199
190. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on speculation that consideration is being given to introducing a charge per item for holders of long-term illness cards, which will make it more difficult for persons to manage their condition effectively, costing more in the long run, as a result of the negative impact on their health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6411/15]
View answerThe Long Term Illness (LTI) Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme, which are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide.
The LTI Scheme enables persons suffering from the above prescribed conditions to be provided with drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances for the treatment of their condition, free of charge. While from time to time the Department examines policy options regarding the application of the GMS and community drugs schemes, there are no plans to introduce a co-payment for the LTI Scheme.
191. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health if he will consider flying the Amber Flag from his Department buildings on a chosen day in order to raise awareness of the Amber Flag programme, which works to raise awareness of mental health issues within second level schools, sports clubs and youth organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6432/15]
View answerMy Department flies the National and EU flags in accordance with the Protocol set by the Department of the Taoiseach. My Department will consider this request in accordance with this Protocol.
192. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if regulations apply under the smoking ban legislation in respect of smoking on school grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6444/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002 as amended, prohibits smoking in the workplace which includes indoor areas in schools. Currently there is no legislative basis for prohibiting smoking on school grounds. In practice, however, many schools have adopted no smoking policies on school grounds.
Tobacco Free Ireland,the national tobacco policy, contains the following recommendation, "to develop and introduce legislation to prohibit smoking within the campuses of primary schools, secondary schools and child care facilities". A time frame for implementing all the recommendations in Tobacco Free Ireland will be set out in the forthcoming Action Plan for Tobacco Free Ireland.
193. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health his views on the upset of the wider community in respect of an incident on 5 February 2015 when a 100 year old woman was left on a trolley for 24 hours in Tallaght Hospital, Dublin 24; if he will publish a report on the circumstances of the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6445/15]
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.
194. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide an additional building to cater for growing needs in respect of a service for persons with disabilities (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6451/15]
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.
195. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if an application for funding from Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services to open a children’s residential house at a location (details supplied) in Dublin 7 has been received; if the application was successful; if not, the reasons provided by the Health Service Executive for not accepting the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6465/15]
View answerMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. My Department has no record of receiving an application for lottery funding for this particular project in 2014.
I have ask the Health Service Executive to check if it received such an application and to respond directly to the Deputy.
196. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be expedited, in view of that person's medical condition. [6474/15]
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.
197. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health in view of correspondence (details supplied), his views on whether it is appropriate to have service users of a day service in County Roscommon in a bus for one and a half hours for what should be a ten-minute journey; the action he will take to remedy this, in view of the effect that it is having on the willingness of persons to attend the day service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6486/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a response within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
198. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will issue a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6489/15]
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.
199. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if a service (details supplied) is closing down some of their units due to financial pressures; the communication he has with the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6511/15]
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.
