Written Answers Nos. 142-147
142. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the procedure for debt collection of bills issued by University Hospital Waterford; the length of time before bills are passed to an outside collection agency; the firms and agencies used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40807/15]
View answer143. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health the number of debts or cases that are being passed on to outside debt collection agencies by University Hospital Waterford, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40808/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
With regard to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, 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.
144. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Health if he will consider allowing IV Augmentin, which is not covered under the general medical services for a person (details supplied) in County Cork given the circumstances, including the distance to the nearest hospital, etc., to have it included in such a situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40819/15]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, 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.
145. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be fitted for orthopaedic shoes. [40823/15]
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, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
146. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will make additional funding available to the South Western Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force given the proposal from Athy Community Addiction Response in County Kildare, which has requested such funding from the task force but which has been declined on the basis of there being no more available from its 2016 allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40825/15]
View answerIn line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem. Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and coordinating action at local level, so that there is a targeted response to the problem of substance misuse in local communities.
Every effort has been made to protect the budgets of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in recent years. In 2015 the overall allocation of the South West Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force was €799,317 of which €102,820 was provided from the Drugs Initiative of the Department of Health and €696,497 from the Health Service Executive. This was the same overall level of funding allocated in 2014.
The South West Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force will be advised shortly of their allocations for 2016. It is a matter for each Task Force to ensure that the budget is effectively deployed to address current priorities and locally identified needs.
147. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if a grant for a hearing aid is available to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40829/15]
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.
