Written Answers Nos. 384 to 404
385. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health why the Gníomh Lann learning disability day service located in Balinode in County Sligo is required to change its location; his plans for its future in the locality; the plans in place to keep the nine persons with complex needs who use this facility together at an alternative location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41385/15]
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.
386. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine and expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41408/15]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
387. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will favourably examine an application for a lottery grant to his Department by an organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry which is providing excellent and essential services to the youth of County Kerry, regarding all aspects of health and social well being; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41409/15]
View answerMy Department received an application for National Lottery funding from Kerry Life Skills Ltd, reference NL15/510. Applications for National Lottery grants far exceed the resources available. The lottery fund for 2015 has recently been allocated and, unfortunately on this occasion, it was not possible to assist in this particular case.
When the next round of funding is available and applications are open I would advise the Organisation in question to re-apply.
388. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for an over 70s medical card by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41465/15]
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.
389. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will examine an application for a medical card by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry, as all relevant documentation has been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41467/15]
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.
390. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health why a medical card for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6W was revoked; and if it will be re-instated. [41474/15]
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.
391. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure a person (details supplied) in County Longford receives hospital appointments. [41477/15]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
392. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Health the reason for the ongoing delay in issuing a medical card to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41484/15]
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.
393. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Health when a Health Service Executive child psychologist will be appointed to County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41485/15]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a response within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
394. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there is a variance in medicines available on the medical card, by county; if so the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41494/15]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes; 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.
395. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 402 of 3 March 2015, if he will ensure that a full and final reply will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41495/15]
View answerI understand that a reply to Parliamentary Question No. 402, of 3 March 2015, issued on 13 March last. However, I have asked the HSE to look again at the issue and to provide you with any further information that might be available. 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.
396. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an early assessment appointment will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny, as the case is urgent; and if he will expedite the matter. [41497/15]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
397. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an operation for a hip replacement will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Carlow. [41499/15]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as 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.
398. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the progress he is making in ensuring that the level of funding required to continue the services approved by the L'Arche community in County Kilkenny is put in place; the number of meetings held by his Department and the Health Service Executive to resolve this issue; if he is aware that the L'Arche community is faced with possible and imminent closure due to the lack of funding; if he will request the executive to provide a positive and early response to the L'Arche community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41501/15]
View answerThe Government is committed to protecting frontline health and personal social services needs for people with disabilities. The Government currently provides funding of approximately €1.5 billion to the Disability Services Programme through the Health Service Executive's National Service Plan for 2015.
In 2015, the HSE is seeking to maximise the provision of services within available resources and to maintaining a consistent level to that provided in 2014, by providing the following specialist disability services:
- residential services to around 9,000 people with a disability;
- day services to over 22,000 people with intellectual and physical disabilities;
- respite residential support of 190,000 overnights for people with intellectual and physical disabilities;
- 3.9 million hours of Personal Assistant / Home Support Hours.
Additional funding of €6 million has been allocated in the HSE National Service Plan in 2015 to provide day places for an estimated 1,400 young people finishing school and rehabilitative (life-skills) training. €4m in additional funding has also been allocated in the Plan to deliver an increase in the services for children with disabilities and reduce waiting lists under the Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18s) Programme.
The HSE provides funding to L'Arche Community for the provision of health and personal social services under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004. My Department has not held any formal meetings with the HSE in relation to the current difficulties facing L'Arche. However, I am aware of the financial challenges facing L’Arche Community at this time and that the HSE has been in ongoing contact with the management of L’Arche in an effort to find a solution to these difficulties.
I understand from the HSE that these difficulties stem from compliance issues with the regulatory environment, which require that the model of service previously provided by L’Arche be reviewed and enhanced. The HSE has been working with all voluntary service providers on improving compliance during 2015, addressing the highest risk areas as a priority. These efforts will continue in 2016 and preparation of the HSE’s Service and Operational Plans will be underpinned by a focus on making the best use of the resource invested in disability services.
I have been assured by the HSE that it will continue to work with L’Arche Community and be as supportive as possible within current financial constraints.
399. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1007 of 17 September 2014, if he will address a matter regarding a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41511/15]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. 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.
400. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the number of medical cards in circulation in the Limerick health area on 1 November 2014 and on 1 November 2015, in tabular form; the number of these that were issued, on a discretionary basis; to persons over 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41523/15]
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.
401. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans to remove the ban on blood donations from males who have previously engaged in sexual intercourse with other males, as enforced by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service; if the details of the data source used to justify and base this exclusion, which has been cited as necessary in order to reduce the risk of infected blood entering the blood supply; the potential increase in donations if the ban is lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41534/15]
View answerThe remit of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is to provide a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system. Blood, and the products derived from it, are an integral facet of healthcare delivery. A major objective of the IBTS is to ensure that it always has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both donors and recipients of blood and blood products.
In response to a request from the Chief Medical Officer of my Department, the IBTS submitted a paper earlier this year setting out options for future policy in relation to MSM as blood donors. The IBTS was subsequently asked to build on this report, including through appropriate engagement with relevant organisations.
As part of this process the IBTS has engaged professional statistical consultants to develop a model on how to quantify changes in risks to patients from window period HIV transmission, or from the transmission of other emerging infections, in the event of changes in MSM deferral policies. This work, which includes detailed analysis of international evidence with the aim of finalising a specific recommendation, is ongoing. I have asked that this analysis be completed and a report submitted as soon as possible.
The IBTS reviews its existing deferral policies drawing on available scientific evidence, risk assessments, regular review of infectious disease incidence and the practice and experience of other transfusion services. They will continue to ensure that its deferral policies remain current and appropriate for the maintenance of a safe blood supply. The IBTS has informed my Department that a change in the MSM deferral policy is not likely to have a significant impact on the number of donations.
402. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health his plans to lift the permanent deferral policy currently enforced by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service in which persons who have resided for 12 months or more in total and cumulatively in Britain and or the six counties between 1980 and 1996 are excluded from making a blood donation; the data source used to justify and base this exclusion which has been cited as necessary in order to reduce the risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, CJD, transmission; the potential increase in donations if the ban was lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41535/15]
View answerThe remit of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is to provide a safe, reliable and robust blood service to the Irish health system. Blood, and the products derived from it, are an integral facet of healthcare delivery. A major objective of the IBTS is to ensure that it always has the necessary programmes and procedures in place to protect both donors and recipients of blood and blood products.
The IBTS has implemented a permanent deferral policy in regard to blood donation for people who resided for 12 months or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996. This policy was introduced in 2004 following the first confirmed case of vCJD transmission via blood transfusion in the UK. It is implemented as a precaution against the risk of transmission of vCJD through blood transfusion. There is no test for vCJD and confirmation that someone had the disease is only possible post mortem.
The IBTS reviews its existing deferral policies drawing on available scientific evidence, risk assessments, a regular review of infectious disease incidence and the practice and experience of other transfusion services. The IBTS will continue to ensure that its deferral policies remain current and appropriate for the maintenance of a safe blood supply.
403. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry who is waiting for an appointment in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41541/15]
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.
404. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his proposals to provide additional resources for dental services in County Cavan and in County Monaghan; if he is aware that the level of dental services provided for primary school pupils in these counties is inadequate and is below the level of service available in neighbouring counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41550/15]
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.
