Written Answers Nos. 479-499
479. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the documentation still outstanding in the case of a medical card application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14788/16]
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.
480. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health to expedite an application by a person (details supplied) for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14789/16]
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.
481. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health to confirm the long-term plan for Kilkcreene Orthopaedic Hospital, County Kilkenny given reports that the St. Patrick's ward of the facility is being converted into offices for administration purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14790/16]
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.
482. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health how a person whose income is less than €164 and who is financially independent of his or her parents can apply for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14795/16]
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.
483. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health if his Department and the Health Service Executive decided to change the selection system for medical interns in October 2015 to prioritise non-European Union students regardless of their academic achievement; if he will agree that this is very unfair to the past graduate non-European Union medical students who are completing their medical studies in 2016; if he will change this rule so that it will no longer apply to non-European Union medical students who are already in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14796/16]
View answerIn 2015 the HSE sought and received the approval of the Department of Health to changes in the selection system for medical interns taking up positions in July 2016. The HSE cannot provide places for all graduates and wished to focus on those who entered third level through the CAO system. However, the changes made would not have a significant impact on the access of non-European Union medical students already in the system to intern places. Only a small number of this cohort would have accessed intern places under the previous criteria. I have asked the HSE to revert to the Deputy on this matter.
484. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting a significant time for an operation and if the person can be scheduled for an operation as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14797/16]
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 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 HSE, 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.
485. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide more home help for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14799/16]
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.
486. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14800/16]
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.
487. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil sé i gceist aige, ó nach bhfuil airtríteas réamatóideach ar an liosta tinneas fadtéarmach le haghaidh cárta liachta lánroghnach, é a chur ar an liosta. [14802/16]
View answerBunaíodh an Scéim Tinnis Fhadtéarmaigh (LTI) faoi Alt 59(3) den Acht Sláinte, 1970 (arna leasú). In 1971, 1973 agus 1975, rinneadh Rialacháin a shonraíonn na riochtaí seo a leanas a chumhdaítear leis an Scéim LTI: géarleoicéime; éislinn meabhrach; pairilis cheirbreach; meabhairghalar (i nduine faoi 16); fiobróis chisteach; scléaróis iolrach; diabetes insipidus; diostróifithe mhatánach; diabetes mellitus; galar Parkinson; titimeas; feinilcéatónúire; haemaifilia; spina bifida; hidriceifileas; agus riochtaí a eascraíonn as úsáid na Tailídimíde. Ní beartáitear liosta na riochtaí a cumhdaítear leis an Scéim LTI a leathnú.
Faoin Scéim Íocaíochta Drugaí, ní íocann duine aonair nó teaghlach ar bith níos mó ná €144 in aghaidh na míosa féilire i dtreo chostas leigheasanna ordaithe formheasta. Laghdaíonn an scéim go mór an t-ualach costais ar theaghlaigh agus ar dhaoine aonair a bhaineann le tabhú chaiteachas leanúnach ar chógais.
Faoi fhorálacha na nAchtanna Sláinte, cuirtear cártaí leighis ar fáil do dhaoine nach bhfuil in ann, gan chruatan míchuí, seirbhísí sláinte a shocrú dóibh féin agus dá gcleithiúnaithe. Sa phróiseas measúnaithe, féadfaidh an HSE costais leighis a thabhaíonn duine aonair nó teaghlach a chur san áireamh.
488. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will introduce a hearing welfare allowance similar to the existing scheme for the visually impaired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14806/16]
View answerThe Department of Health has no plans to introduce a payment as outlined by the Deputy. The Blind Welfare Allowance is a means tested supplementary payment by the Health Service Executive to people in receipt of the Blind Pension from the Department of Social Protection.
489. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for a hearing test will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14812/16]
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.
490. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if he has undertaken an assessment of the savings to the State that can be made if a suitable person with cystic fibrosis is placed on a course of Orkambi; if so, the potential annual savings, in monetary terms, from their improved health, in terms of reduced hospitalisation costs, reduced costs of other services such as physiotherapy and so on and reduced costs of other medications; if such an assessment has not been made, if he will undertake to have such a study carried out immediately to determine the savings which could be off-set against the cost of purchasing Orkambi; the status of the latest negotiations to secure a reduction in the price being sought by the manufacturer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14949/16]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drugs schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. Prior to deciding whether to reimburse a medicine, the HSE considers a range of statutory criteria, including clinical need, cost-effectiveness and the resources available.
The decisions on which medicines are reimbursed by the taxpayer are made on objective, scientific and economic grounds by the HSE, on the advice of the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE). The NCPE conducts health technology assessments (HTAs) of pharmaceutical products for the HSE, and can make recommendations on reimbursement to assist the HSE in its decision-making process. The NCPE used a decision framework to systematically assess whether the drug is cost-effective as a health intervention
I am informed by the NCPE that following a request from the HSE, the NCPE carried out an assessment of the manufacturer's economic dossier submitted in March 2016 on the cost effectiveness of lumacaftor/ivacaftor (Orkambi). This dossier included details on all relevant costs and relevant cost offsets including hospitalisation, disease management costs, intravenous antibiotics, adverse events and any additional costs arising in patients not taking Orkambi.
The NCPE has completed its HTA and submitted it to the HSE. The NCPE determined, following an evaluation of the economic dossier, that the manufacturer failed to demonstrate cost-effectiveness or value for money from using the drug. The NCPE have confirmed that all relevant costs were included in the analysis.
A summary has been published on the NCPE website and is available at:http://www.ncpe.ie/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Website-summary-orkambi.pdf.
The HSE will now enter into negotiations with the manufacturer, to seek very significant price reductions. The HSE will then consider the outcome of these negotiations, together with the NCPE recommendation, in making a final decision on reimbursement.
491. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to relocate the South Kildare Network disability team to Kildare town and when this move is expected to be finalised; if there are any impediments to the move and if so what is being done to address them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14957/16]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be 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.
492. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to relocate the South Kildare CAMHS team from Athy to Kildare town and when this move is expected to be finalised; if there are any impediments to the move and if so what is being done to address them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14958/16]
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.
493. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his plans to make land available from St. Finian's landbank in Killarney, County Kerry for the provision of a public graveyard for the population of Killarney and its hinterland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14959/16]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) operates a protocol for the disposal of surplus property assets. This protocol sets out three options.
- Does a State Agency require the property?
- Open market sale, subject to favourable market conditions.
- Community/voluntary use will be considered only if points 1 and 2 above do not materialise.
Any proposals for the property in question to must be considered in the context of the capital funding available to Health and the Government's Reform Plan relating to the State's property asset use and management. In this context, I must advise you that the Health Service Executive is required to obtain value for money when disposing of surplus property assets. These proceeds will be re-invested in delivering much needed health care infrastructure. As there will always be more projects than can be funded by the Exchequer facilities which support the delivery of core health services must be prioritised within the context of the overall capital envelope available to us. Given the limited funding available and our health infrastructure needs, priority for funding must be based on verified service needs and all capital funding must be directed to supporting these core services. The HSE is concentrating on applying the limited funding available for capital works in the most effective way possible to meet health care needs now and in the future.
In addition consideration must be given to the Government's Reform Plan which sets out commitments relating to property asset use and management. These commitments include ensuring that optimal value for money is achieved in the management of the State's property portfolio. The development and implementation of the Property Management Delivery Plan has been one of the outcomes of the reform process. This plan aims to improve the planning and management of the public service property portfolio by improving co-ordination of strategies and activities, processes for strategic planning, projects and property management, standards for accommodation fit-out and data capture, accountability for decision making and deployment of resources.
The HSE must retain some lands to accommodate future services. Considerable work is required in advance of any decisions.
The HSE has been requested to reply directly to you as regards its plans for the property in question. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office who will follow up.
494. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the documentation outstanding in the case of a person (details supplied) in respect of their pending application for a medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14960/16]
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.
495. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health to expedite the consultation and surgery for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14966/16]
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.
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.
496. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health to provide data on the number of missed outpatient appointments in the Mater Hospital in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14967/16]
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.
497. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health to provide data on the number of missed outpatient appointments in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, County Louth in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14968/16]
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.
498. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health to provide data on the number of missed outpatient appointments in Beaumont Hospital in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14969/16]
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.
499. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health to provide data on the number of missed outpatient appointments in St. James’s Hospital in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14970/16]
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.
