Thursday, 5 Mar 2015

Written Answers Nos. 210 to 219

Disability Services Funding

Questions (210)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

210. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason that the finance section of the national social care division of the Health Service Executive has written to disability organisations last month imposing further cuts to their budgets; the proposed cuts broken down by organisation, providing the name and address of each organisation; the steps he will take to ensure adequate funding for organisations dealing with persons with disabilities, including providing extra Exchequer funding to the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9743/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government currently provides funding of almost €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the Health Service Executive's (HSE) National Service Plan for 2015. This funding provides disability services throughout the country and is spent in line with nationally agreed policy, whilst at the same time trying to maximise value. The Government is committed to protecting frontline services for people with disabilities.

The HSE is currently in discussion with disability service providers regarding funding and service arrangements for 2015.

The HSE remains committed to working with voluntary disability service providers to ensure that available resources are used in a creative and flexible manner, in order to be responsive to the needs that present.

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.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (211)

Joe Carey

Question:

211. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 477 of 3 February 2015, and in view of the maximum time obligation of eight months for adult patients requiring admission, as set out by the National Treatment Purchase Fund, and the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Clare has been classified as an urgent clinical priority and that the person was first admitted to the system on 12 May 2014, when the person may expect an appointment for the required surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9746/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As I mentioned in my previous response, the scheduling of appointments for individual patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred taking into account his or her clinical need. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to reducing numbers on waiting lists for scheduled care, with particular focus on those waiting in excess of 18 months. I understand, on the basis of the response that you received from the HSE on 11th February, that the individual concerned was placed on the waiting list in the Mater Hospital on 12 May 2014, has been given a clinical priority as urgent but that, unfortunately, at this time, it is not possible to give him an admission date.

I also note that the Mater has advised that every effort will be made to facilitate his procedure in the future and that it is working with the Special Delivery Unit to achieve reduced waiting times for all its patients.

Hospital Services

Questions (212)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

212. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health with regard to Kerry General Hospital, the steps being taken by the Health Service Executive to establish a dedicated stroke unit in the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9750/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (213)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

213. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9751/15]

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.

Dental Services

Questions (214)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

214. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the policy rationale for the closure of Saint James's dental clinic and the Health Service Executive policy of treating patients at the Hermitage and the Beacon Clinic instead; the current waiting list for this service; if this decision is an appropriate use of public funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9757/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.

Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

Questions (215)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

215. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided as soon as possible in respect of an application under the nursing home support scheme, in view of the person's circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9758/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive 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.

Disability Services Funding

Questions (216)

Seán Kyne

Question:

216. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health his views on the value-for-money review being conducted by the Health Service Executive and the impacts the requests being made, under this review, pose to organisations such as Ability West, which provides services to persons of all ages with intellectual disabilities; and if the review is taking account of the improving financial position of the State. [9759/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government currently provides funding of almost €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the Health Service Executive's (HSE) National Service Plan for 2015. This funding provides disability services throughout the country and is spent in line with nationally agreed policy, whilst at the same time trying to maximise value. The Government is committed to protecting frontline services for people with disabilities.

The HSE is currently in discussion with disability service providers regarding funding and service arrangements for 2015.

The HSE remains committed to working with voluntary disability service providers to ensure that available resources are used in a creative and flexible manner, in order to be responsive to the needs that present.

As the issues raised in the Deputy's question relate to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the 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.

Registration of Marriages

Questions (217)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

217. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health in relation to the notification requirements for marriage and the fee for registering intent of marriage which was increased from €150 to €200 in 2013, if he will  provide details of the total sum of money which this fee has raised since its introduction; if he will provide details of the way this money is utilised by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9760/15]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Civil Registration Service is operated by the Health Service Executive on behalf of the General Register Office under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection. The cost of this service is met from within the HSE's budget, with some income generated through registration fees and the issuing of certificates for life events. However, this income did not meet the economic cost of running the service and in January 2013 a number of fee increases were introduced in the Civil Registration Service as part of a range of budgetary measures across the health services for 2013.

I have referred your question to the Health Service Executive to address the specific issues raised and 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 who will follow up on the matter.

Medical Card Eligibility

Questions (218)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1 qualifies for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9780/15]

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 Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (219)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

219. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding glasses, in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9797/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

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.