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Thursday, 9 Jul 2015

Written Answers Nos. 192-201

Medical Card Administration

Questions (192)

Noel Harrington

Question:

192. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for discretionary medical cards to be processed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28018/15]

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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.

Mental Health Services

Questions (193)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

193. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health following on from a meeting held with the Health Service Executive and an organisation (details supplied), if he will provide an update on the potential plans for establishing a Headstrong Jigsaw site in the north inner city of Dublin. [28019/15]

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Written answers

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

National Children's Hospital

Questions (194)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

194. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health his plans for the site at the Mater hospital in Dublin 7 that had been originally chosen for the new children's hospital now that a new site has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28020/15]

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Written answers

Your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up.

Mental Health Services

Questions (195)

Derek Keating

Question:

195. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that this Deputy has received a letter of concern from the board of a school (details supplied) in County Dublin regarding the functioning of the child and adolescent mental health service, in which this Deputy is advised that parents have been told that there is a one-year waiting list for an appointment, and expressing concern regarding the early sign-off of identified cases where there is already a psychological report outlining significant emotional, behavioural or intellectual challenge; if such a one-year waiting list exists for an appointment with the service; the position regarding the signing-off of cases where such a psychological report exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28026/15]

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Written answers

As this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.

Departmental Budgets

Questions (196)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

196. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health with regard to the once-off revenue measures of €330 million that he announced for the health budget in 2015, the amount of this revenue that was raised by the end of June 2015; the sources of same; and if he expects there to be any variance in the revenues raised in 2015 from his original estimate in October 2014. [28029/15]

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Written answers

The once-off revenue measures relate principally to quicker settlement of hospital bills by health insurers; additional receipts from the United Kingdom in respect of health services provided under EU Regulations; and a technical adjustment to the Vote as a result of the disestablishment of the Vote of the HSE. Almost €190 million has been achieved to date from UK receipts and the technical adjustment was effected through the Revised Estimates 2015.

Discussions are ongoing with private health insurers and it is anticipated that the full effect of the once-off revenue measures will be achieved this year. The cash flow benefit from this arrangement was not expected before the latter half of the year in any event.

Health Services

Questions (197)

Regina Doherty

Question:

197. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is being forced to change service provider for that person's care and support by the Health Service Executive against this person's wishes for the reason that the person has moved from County Dublin to County Meath, given that the original service provider is happy to maintain consistency of service to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28035/15]

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Written answers

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, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.

Health Services Funding

Questions (198)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

198. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding for a new buggy and a home chair in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28037/15]

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Written answers

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.

Medical Card Applications

Questions (199)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress in determining an application for a medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28038/15]

View answer

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 Data

Questions (200)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

200. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have full medical cards and who are in receipt of a domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28039/15]

View answer

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.

Health Services Staff Recruitment

Questions (201)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

201. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if the embargo on dental nurses will be lifted; if so, when; the number of positions that will be filled in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28040/15]

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Written answers

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform announced in the latest budget, that he intends to delegate greater autonomy to Departments and Agencies to manage their own staffing levels. The change from the application of a rigid employment control framework, with its particular focus on a moratorium on recruitment and compliance with employment ceilings and targets, to one operating strictly within allocated pay frameworks will allow for recruitment where it is determined that this can achieve more economical service delivery.

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on the other aspects of his question. 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.

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