Thursday, 5 Mar 2015

Written Answers Nos 170-179

Tobacco Control Measures

Questions (170)

Finian McGrath

Question:

170. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will examine a proposal (details supplied) on plain packaging. [9720/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Research and experience in other countries has shown that health warnings combined with coloured photographs can be an effective means of discouraging smoking and informing people about the health risks related to smoking. The image referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy is one of 42 images provided to Member States by the European Commission. However, there is a new library of images developed by the European Commission which will be placed on tobacco products in 2016. I understand that the image of a syringe does not feature among these new images.

Magdalen Laundries

Questions (171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177)

Anne Ferris

Question:

171. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the Magdalen survivors who have enhanced medical cards will have the same entitlements to dental, ophthalmic and aural treatment, and dental, ophthalmic and aural appliances, as Health (Amendment) Act card holders, save where those treatments and services relate specifically to hepatitis C and the Magdalen survivor does not suffer from hepatitis C. [9855/15]

Anne Ferris

Question:

172. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the Magdalen survivors who have enhanced medical cards will have the same entitlements to drugs, medicines and appliances as Health (Amendment) Act card holders, save where those drugs, medicines and appliances relate specifically to hepatitis C and the Magdalen survivor does not suffer from hepatitis C. [9856/15]

Anne Ferris

Question:

173. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the immediate relatives of Magdalen survivors who have enhanced medical cards will have the same entitlement to counselling and psychotherapy as the immediate relatives of Health (Amendment) Act card holders, save the counselling for the immediate relatives of Magdalen survivors will relate to their connection to Magdalen laundries rather than hepatitis C. [9857/15]

Anne Ferris

Question:

174. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health when the Magdalen survivors will receive their enhanced medical cards; when the Magdalen survivors will receive a guide to their enhanced medical card; the number of liaison officers who will be employed and when; if there will be an application process; if so, what will this entail; and if a complaints and appeals process has been put in place. [9859/15]

Anne Ferris

Question:

175. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health if his Department will contact all general practitioners, both public and private, hospitals and other relevant health service providers to inform them of Magdalen survivors’ entitlements under the enhanced medical card; and the measures being taken to ensure that Magdalen survivors do not have to resolve any difficulties with the scheme or explain their entitlements to health care professionals. [9860/15]

Anne Ferris

Question:

176. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health in the event that health care services do not have the facility to record enhanced medical cards, if he will confirm that cardholders will be reimbursed in the same manner as Health (Amendment) Act card holders. [9861/15]

Anne Ferris

Question:

177. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on the administrative arrangements for Magdalene survivors living overseas. [9865/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 to 177, inclusive, together.

When the Redress for Women Who Were Resident in Certain Institutions Bill has completed its passage in the Oireachtas, the final provisions will be determined.

The HSE is currently considering the practical arrangements to be put in place for access to health services for participants living in the State and abroad when the legislation is in place.

Medical Card Administration

Questions (178)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

178. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will review the national assessment guidelines for medical cards to make provisions for the local property tax as an allowable expense; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9605/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The HSE awards medical cards in accordance with the Health Act and gives effect to this legislation through its Medical Card National Assessment Guidelines. The Guidelines provide a clear framework to assist in making reasonable, consistent and equitable decisions when assessing people who are applying for a medical card and are available on the HSE website.

I can advise the Deputy that the means assessment of eligibility for medical cards and GP visit cards is based on the income of the applicant, and his or her spouse or partner (if any), after direct taxes - income tax, PRSI and USC - have been deducted. Certain additional allowances are available for necessary expenses incurred in respect of rent or mortgage payments, childcare costs and travel to work costs. Where a person’s assessable income is within the relevant income guidelines, a medical card or a GP visit card will be granted. Utility charges and indirect taxation are not deductible under the assessment process.

HSE National Service Plan

Questions (179)

Ciaran Lynch

Question:

179. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the targets set in this year's Health Service Executive service plan for the treatment of scoliosis and the provision of spinal surgeries; the target number of procedures and the number of locations; the projected reduction in the waiting list; the projected increase in capacity; if a target waiting time will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9621/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As these are service matters, 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.