Written Answers Nos. 51-54
51. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the up-to-date position regarding plans to exempt pre-school providers from commercial rates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35841/15]
View answerThe issue of local authority commercial rates comes within the remit of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which has responsibility for fiscal policy, and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, which has responsibility for the local authorities.
The Valuation Office, which comes under the remit of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, is responsible for the implementation and interpretation of the Valuation Act 2001 under which commercial rates are levied by the local authorities. The Valuation Office prepares valuation lists of commercial properties, as required by the Act, and local authorities are obliged to collect rates on properties which are listed.
Following concerns expressed by childcare providers throughout the country, the issue of commercial rates on pre-school services was raised with the then Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan T.D. who confirmed that, in line with existing legislative framework, local authorities have no discretion in the collection of commercial rates on properties which are on the Valuation List. The concerns of childcare providers in relation to commercial rates were also brought to the attention of officials in the Department of Finance.
The Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015 exempts community not-for-profit childcare providers from commercial rates. However, private commercial childcare providers continue to be subject to commercial rates except those whose funding is derived only through capitation provided under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.
52. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend free primary care to those who require long-term mental health treatment, and to exempt them from the prescription levy, as recommended by Mental Health Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35816/15]
View answerUnder the Health Act, 1970, eligibility for a medical card is founded primarily on the undue financial hardship test and every application must be assessed on that basis. In accordance with the Act, the assessment for a medical card is determined primarily by reference to the means, including the income and expenditure, of the applicant and his or her partner and dependants. Where deemed appropriate in particular circumstances, the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines but where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness.
At 1st September 2015, over 45% of the national population had free access to GP services under Universal GP Care and the GMS Scheme: 37.3% of the population had medical cards and 7.9% had GP visit cards.
The Government’s Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 reiterated the commitment to the introduction of a universal GP service for the entire population, in line with the Programme for Government. This Government is the first in the history of the State to commit itself to implementing a universal GP service for the entire population. The roll-out of a universal GP service for the under 6s began in July and for the over 70s began in August. Budget 2016 includes a commitment to the extension of GP care without fees to all children aged 11 years and under.
Work is continuing on the development of a scheme for the provision of a GP service without fees to the entire population. This includes consideration of approaches, timing, administrative and financial implications of a range of options with a view to bringing developed proposals to Government and a decision will be made by the Government in due course. The extension of GP services without fees will have full regard to and ensure compatibility with future developments in relation to Universal Health Insurance.
Prescription charges are part of a set of measures introduced by Government in recent years to reduce pharmaceutical drugs expenditure. Medical card holders are required to pay a prescription charge of €2.50 per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €25 per month for each person or family. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the Health Service Executive, asylum seekers living in direct provision, or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme. There are no plans to introduce exemptions for specific medical conditions.
53. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a Health Service Executive report into inadequate and inconsistent home care provision for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has been initiated; the expected timeframe for completing the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35820/15]
View answerAs 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.
54. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if the proposed community nursing unit (details supplied) in County Galway is included in the list of community nursing units to be constructed under the financial package he recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35825/15]
View answerOn 29 September Minister Varadkar and I announced a €3bn investment package for health services over six years. The overall plan includes the development of Community Nursing Units for older people and new improved models of accommodation for people with a disability. The additional funding will, building upon the existing projects, allow for an enhanced programme to replace, upgrade and refurbish long term care facilities. This will significantly improve the standard of residential facilities and facilitate person centred care. The Department will work with the HSE to prioritise the available funding.
