Written Answers Nos. 175-181
175. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health to urgently provide access to a child psychologist for a person (details supplied) with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11064/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
176. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health why applicants who satisfy the criteria for a primary medical certificate, such as those with only one leg, are being refused in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11071/16]
View answerThe Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities Tax Relief Scheme is operated by the Revenue Commissioners and provides tax relief for vehicles purchased for use by people with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. The eligibility criteria for the scheme are set out by the Department of Finance, details of which can be found on www.revenue.ie.
In order to qualify for tax relief under the scheme, the person with a disability must have a valid Primary Medical Certificate, applications for which are processed by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Local Health Offices. If the HSE refuses an application for a Primary Medical Certificate, the person is informed that they may appeal the refusal to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, which is based at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, he is welcome to contact my Private Office with the details and the matter will be followed up with the HSE. In the meantime, I have arranged for the Deputy's question to be referred to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy regarding the numbers of refusals of Primary Medical Certificates in Co. Donegal and any other information relevant to the Deputy's question.
177. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the delays in processing information sent to the Primary Care Reimbursement Service by applicants for medical cards and by public representatives that are leading to unacceptable delays in processing applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11072/16]
View answerThe Primary Care Reimbursement Service has a target to have 90% of properly completed medical/GP visit card applications processed within 15 days of the application having been received by the HSE. The current turnaround is 99.88% within 15 days. This refers to applications, again properly completed, that enable an assessor to make a determination on eligibility under the scheme.
The length of time that it takes for applicants to receive a decision on their medical card applications where a fully completed application form was not submitted, depends on how quickly the applicants respond to the subsequent request for additional information. Once the outstanding documentation is received, the assessment is prioritised without delay.
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. Should the Deputy wish to provide information about a specific case or case, the HSE 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 recently issued to Oireachtas members.
178. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health to extend the opening hours and the age limits of patients treated in the minor injuries unit at Louth County Hospital in line with the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11076/16]
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.
179. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11082/16]
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.
180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when he will renew a medical card for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11095/16]
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 recently 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 Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when he will issue a medical card to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11101/16]
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 recently 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.
