Written Answers Nos. 135-143
135. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in tabular form by area the amount Tusla-Child and Family Agency has spent on new cars for residential care units in 2014; and in 2015 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35017/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be forwarded once it is available.
136. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, as all information has been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34963/15]
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.
137. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the Health Service Executive provides occupation therapy reports for local authority tenants living in Tallaght in Dublin 24 seeking to apply for the local authority's disabled access grant, but does not provide local authority tenants in Clondalkin in Dublin 22 with the same service; the reason for this disparity; his views that such geographical discrimination is acceptable; his plans to rectify this disparity by ensuring that all residents in the South Dublin County Council area receive the same level of service from the Health Service Executive, regardless of where they live. [34968/15]
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, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
138. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34970/15]
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.
139. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health with regard to the €3 million of the overall intensive home care packages allocation of €10 million to support persons with dementia, the number of such care packages this is intended to provide in 2015; the number currently in place; and if he will provide the same details for the care packages being provided by Atlantic Philanthropies. [34985/15]
View answerAs 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.
140. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if support will be provided for dementia care in budget 2016 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34988/15]
View answerThe Irish National Dementia Strategy was launched in December 2014. This delivers on a commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a national Alzheimer’s and other dementia's strategy to increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and develop enhanced community based services.
The Department of Health and the HSE have agreed a joint initiative with the Atlantic Philanthropies to implement significant elements of the Strategy over the period 2014-2017. This National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme will represent a combined investment of €27.5 million, with Atlantic Philanthropies contributing €12 million, and the HSE contributing €15.5 million.
This programme will promote a greater focus on timely diagnosis of dementia and on the value of early intervention, along with the long-term objective of making people in Ireland generally more aware and understanding of the needs of people with dementia, and of the contribution that those with dementia continue to make to our society.
Key elements of the initiative include:
the rollout of a programme of Intensive Home Supports and Homecare Packages for people with dementia;
the provision of additional dementia-specific resources for GPs, who are the critical and initial point of contact with the health system for those with dementia. The resource material will include training materials and guidance on local services and contact points, etc.
Measures to raise public awareness, address stigma, and promote the inclusion and involvement in society of those with dementia.
A Monitoring Group, chaired by the Department of Health, has been established to assist with and advise on implementation of the National Dementia Strategy, including the National Dementia Strategy Implementation Programme. This Group includes health professionals, administrators, researchers, and advocates. The Group also includes a person living with dementia and a representative of those who care for people with dementia. The most recent meeting of this Monitoring Group was held on 24 September 2015.
The question of funding for dementia services next year is being considered as part of the Estimates Process 2016 which is currently underway, and the recommendations received have been noted in this context.
141. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a repayment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal, who was wrongly charged prescription charges despite being in receipt of a long-term illness card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34991/15]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, including the Long Term Illness Scheme; therefore the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you.
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.
142. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a repayment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal, who was wrongly charged prescription charges despite being in receipt of a long-term illness card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34992/15]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, including the Long Term Illness Scheme; therefore the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you.
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.
143. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health if he will provide financial support to assist with the transport costs of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 22, who requires taxis to get to and from hospital, for hospital appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34993/15]
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.
