Michael Healy-Rae
Question:170. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of medical treatment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16255/16]
View answerHealth Services Provision
Questions (170)
Written answers
Under EU Regulations, all persons ordinarily resident in the EU are entitled to apply for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The EHIC certifies that the holder has the right to receive emergency healthcare during a temporary stay in any EU country as well as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Iceland. This right is guaranteed to all persons who are covered by the public healthcare system of these countries. The European Health Insurance Card holder has the right to receive necessary treatment in the host Member State's public healthcare system on the same terms and at the same cost as nationals of the State concerned. Renal units in this State normally accommodate dialysis for those presenting an EHIC once contact has been made with them in advance of the patient travelling here and the patient’s clinicians provide all relevant patient information to the consultants in the receiving renal unit here. Under bilateral arrangements, patients from the UK can bring evidence of UK residence instead of an EHIC.
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible. 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.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (171)
Frank O'Rourke
Question:171. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health when he will process an application by a person (details supplied) under the medical card scheme; the outcome of the assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16259/16]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Disability Services Provision
Questions (172)
David Cullinane
Question:172. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health when he will provide a range of therapies, including occupational, speech and language therapies, to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16286/16]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 an individual case, 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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (173)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:173. 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. [16294/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces
Questions (174)
Martin Heydon
Question:174. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16299/16]
View answerWritten answers
The South West Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force receives annual funding from the Health Service Executive to allocate to community based drugs initiatives at a local level. It is a matter for the Task Force concerned to ensure that its budget is effectively deployed based on locally identified needs and priorities, taking into account the changing nature of the drugs problem. Applications for funding by local organisations in the catchment area should be made directly to the Task Force.
As the Health Service Executive fund the Task Force, the matter has been referred to the Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
Hospital Appointments Administration
Questions (175)
Pearse Doherty
Question:175. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment at a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16301/16]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.