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Thursday, 23 Apr 2015

Written Answers Nos. 128 - 135

Child Custody and Access

Questions (128)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which a person (details supplied) in County Dublin has received courses in parenting skills or other counselling, with a view to eventually regaining custody of the person's four children, who are all currently in care; the degree to which the person continues to have visitation rights to each child; if any charges are pending in the case; if the children are all being well cared for, at present. [16142/15]

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Written answers

I want to thank the Deputy for brining this to my attention. The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to comment, nor would it be appropriate for me to do so, on the specific matters raised. My Department has, however, referred this to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for attention and asked that they liaise directly with the person concerned.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Questions (129)

Seán Kyne

Question:

129. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of an ophthalmologist for a location in County Galway; the practice of replacing staff who have retired; if the practice will be improved through earlier preparation, in advance of such retirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15998/15]

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Written answers

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

Health Services

Questions (130)

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

130. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Minister for Health the number of patients; and the number of patients diagnosed with Phenylketonuria, who have been referred to the National Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders in each of the past three years; the number of patients with phenylketonuria registered at the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16008/15]

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Written answers

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.

Long-Term Illness Scheme Coverage

Questions (131)

Paul Murphy

Question:

131. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health in view of the financial difficulties faced by many sufferers of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, due to the additional financial burden of paying for medicines and treatment, if his Department has given consideration to including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis on the prescribed list of conditions under the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16010/15]

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Written answers

The 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. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.

Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.

Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the HSE, unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (132)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

132. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to introduce alternative treatments for opioid dependency such as Buprenorphine; when these treatments will become available; the way patients will be able to access these treatments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16011/15]

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Written answers

An Expert Group, set up by my Department in 2006, examined the regulatory framework required to facilitate the prescribing, dispensing and supply of buprenorphine/naloxone and buprenorphine-only products as alternatives to methadone. In 2011, this Group concluded that methadone is the drug of first choice in the treatment of opioid dependency, but that buprenorphine/naloxone may be more appropriate for particular cohorts of clients. The HSE has established an Opioid Substitution Implementation Group to develop a plan for facilitating the wider availability of buprenorphine/naloxone and buprenorphine-only products as alternatives to methadone. The Group is expected to report to me shortly.

Medical Products

Questions (133)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

133. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will ban the use of the chlorine dioxide protocol as a treatment for autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16015/15]

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Written answers

Under the Medicinal Products (Control of Placing on the Market) Regulations 2007, as amended, a medicine cannot be placed on the market in Ireland unless it has a marketing authorisation from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) or a community marketing authorisation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Any product which makes a medicinal claim to treat medical conditions such as autism is considered to be a medicine and requires an authorisation under this legislation.

The product referred to as Chlorine Dioxide or CD Protocol, otherwise known as Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS) is not authorised as a medicine for sale or supply in Ireland. Any manufacture, supply or sale of this product for the purposes of treating a medical condition is illegal.

The HPRA, the competent authority for the implementation of the medicines legislation, has led a number of investigations into the alleged supply of CD Protocol in various parts of Ireland during the past year. It is pursuing a number of avenues of enquiry in what continues to be an open investigation into the manufacture, supply and sale of this product.

During its investigations to date, the HPRA has carried out searches at a number of premises assisted, where necessary, by An Garda Síochána and has also spoken to a number of individuals. In each case, substances and/or equipment have been detained for further examination.

The HPRA continues to advise consumers not to seek to purchase or take this product.

Medical Card Delays

Questions (134)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose application is ongoing since September 2014, given that the person has sent in all the required documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16016/15]

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Written answers

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 Applications

Questions (135)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

135. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16028/15]

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Written answers

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.

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