Written Answers Nos. 180-188
180. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health the number of medical officers and deciding officers working in the medical card section of the Health Service Executive at present; in each year from 2010 to 2014; the number of applications for medical cards dealt with; approved, in each of these years; and to date in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35159/15]
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.
181. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive carries out audits on the average time for processing and deciding on applications for medical cards for very sick children and adults; when, how and the number of these audits that are carried out on an annual basis; if these audits lead to an improvement in processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35160/15]
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.
182. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health the average time a medical card application is with a medical officer before a recommendation is made to a deciding officer; is with a deciding officer before a decision is made; if audits on these processing times relating to medical officers and deciding officers are carried out; if so, when, how and the number of these audits that are carried out, on an annual basis; if these audits lead to an improvement in processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35161/15]
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.
183. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age with cancer who have received a medical card since the measure was introduced in July 2015; if there is an average waiting time for processing applications, and issuing cards to children under 18 years of age with cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35162/15]
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.
184. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health the number of persons suffering from cancer who have received a discretionary medical card in the past 12 months; if there is an average waiting time for processing applications, and the issuing of these discretionary cards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35163/15]
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.
185. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the development of a comprehensive service plan for palliative care in the midlands region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35164/15]
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.
186. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of children who are on the waiting list at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin in Dublin 12 for spinal surgery; and scoliosis surgery, for each of the past four years; the average length of time children have had to wait; the number of children who are on the waiting list, who are being sent to other hospitals; and if he will identify those hospitals [35176/15]
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.
187. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the up-to-date position regarding the all-party talks in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35167/15]
View answerFollowing the request by the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Cameron, I and my colleague Minister of State Sherlock, together with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, facilitated a return of all the five main parties in Northern Ireland to round table talks. These talks resumed on 21 September and are continuing in a constructive atmosphere. The first two weeks of roundtable talks have been relatively positive and constructive with a clear willingness on all sides to address the issues around the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and dealing with the legacy and impact of paramilitarism. I remain hopeful that, with committed collective engagement, we can make real progress on both of these critical issues. An agreed outcome would be an important step forward - not just for politics but for the further normalisation of society in Northern Ireland. In an effort to facilitate inclusive talks, the Secretary of State has announced a British Government assessment of the current profile of paramilitarism in Northern Ireland. This is a one-off assessment which will be completed in the coming weeks and does not pre-empt the discussion of the paramilitary issue in the talks.
The issue of criminality stemming from the legacy of paramilitarism is also an important point for the talks. I welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement that there will be enhanced support and resources for tackling criminality in Northern Ireland. This is very much in keeping with our Government’s strong determination to tackle crime, including organised crime. There is already very strong North-South co-operation involving the police and other relevant agencies when it comes to cross-border crime. My colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality had the opportunity to engage with the parties on these issues when she participated in the Stormont talks last week.
Of equal importance in the talks is the need to fully implement the Stormont House Agreement. This agreement, concluded in December 2014, offers a blueprint for overcoming current difficulties in the Executive, especially around financing, welfare reform and dealing with the legacy of the past. While financing and welfare reform is primarily an issue for the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly, I have continually encouraged the parties to resolve their differences for the sake of Northern Ireland’s economic stability and the sustainability of public services.
It is also crucial that the work started by the Stormont House Agreement on establishing institutions to deal with the legacy of the past is completed so that justice and truth can bring what healing is possible to victims and survivors of the troubles and their families. My officials and I are working intensively with the Secretary of State, the Northern Ireland Office, and the Northern Ireland political parties to ensure the rapid establishment of these institutions, including the Independent Commission for Information Retrieval, the Historical Investigations Unit and the Implementation and Reconciliation Group.
A successful outcome to the talks, which will respect and protect the Good Friday Agreement and its power sharing institutions, is a crucial priority for the Government. It is essential that all of the five main parties in Northern Ireland, with the support of the two Governments, urgently advance the full implementation of the Stormont House Agreement and address the impact and legacy of continuing paramilitary activity.
188. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the up-to-date position regarding the proposed immigration reform Bill in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35168/15]
View answerAchieving relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US remains a priority for the Government in our contacts with the United States. Through our Embassy in Washington and our Consulates throughout the U.S., the Irish Government continues to work closely on this agenda with high level Government contacts and with many other individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond. The aim of these contacts is to achieve relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the US and to improve channels for legal migration between Ireland and America. The administrative measures announced last November by President Obama, which could benefit thousands of undocumented Irish immigrants based in the US, were very welcome. However, I am conscious that these administrative measures remain under legal challenge in US Federal Courts and that in any case legislation in Congress is still needed to build on what has been promised in President Obama’s announcement. For that reason, the Government and our Embassy continue to avail of all contacts with the Administration and with Republican and Democratic political leaders to make the case for comprehensive immigration reform legislation.
To that end, in July I met in Dublin with a US congressional delegation led by John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Taoiseach also met with them and we both took the opportunity to re-emphasise the Government’s wish to see comprehensive legislative reform so as to provide relief for the undocumented Irish and a legal pathway to allow for future Irish immigration to the US. Additionally, I raised immigration reform issues when I met with Vice President Biden in Boston on 30 March and I have also discussed these matters on a number of occasions recently with US Ambassador O’Malley.
Most recently, I met with the US administration, members of Congress and Irish community leaders on this issue when I visited New York and Washington DC last week. On foot of these meetings, a Bill is now in the process of being tabled by Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner in the US House of Representatives. The Bill will be aimed at providing access to several thousand E3 visas for Irish citizens. I warmly welcome this positive step towards meeting the desire of many Irish people to live and work in the US for a time, but would also point out that there is work to be done in both Houses of Congress before this Bill might become law. I am also aware that while this particular measure would help with our objective of securing improved legal migration channels, it would not address the concerns of undocumented citizens currently in the US. These remain a key priority and continue to be the subject of our ongoing contacts with the US authorities. While the political climate for immigration reform in the US remains difficult, my Government will continue to actively engage with the US Administration, with Congress and with the US Embassy in Ireland.
