Written Answers Nos. 214-219
214. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure funding is provided to affected narcolepsy patients whose condition arose from vaccines they received during the swine flu vaccination programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22371/17]
View answerThe Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) had received 81 reports with clinical information confirming a diagnosis of narcolepsy in individuals who were immunised with pandemic influenza 2009/2010 vaccine up to 16 March 2017. The majority of these reports relate to people who were children or adolescents at the time of administration of the vaccine.
My Department, the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills continue to work together to provide a wide range of services and supports for those affected. These include discretionary medical cards, reimbursement of expenses associated with diagnosis and treatment, home tuition and learning supports. The HSE's Advocacy Unit acts as liaison with service and support providers and other Government Departments to facilitate access to required services. It is in regular contact with individuals affected and regularly meets with representatives of the SOUND (sufferers of unique narcolepsy disorder). Regional co-ordinators have been appointed to assist individuals by providing advice, information and access to local services.
The ex-gratia health supports include clinical care pathways to ensure access to diagnosis and treatment, multi-disciplinary assessments led by clinical experts, counselling services for both the individuals and their families, discretionary medical cards for those who have been diagnosed have been provided to allow unlimited access to GP care and any prescribed medication, ex-gratia reimbursement of vouched expenses incurred in the process of diagnosis and treatment, including travel expenses for attending medical appointments; physiotherapy, occupational therapy assessments, dental assessments and dietary services all on a needs basis.
St. James's Hospital has put together a proposal for a national service for patients with all forms of narcolepsy in adults and in children transitioning from the paediatric services. The development of this service is being prioritised by my Department in the 2018 Estimates process. In the interim, the HSE will continue to pay for access to the services, such as dietician and psychology services, that would have been provided in the Centre of Excellence from private providers to so that none of the affected individuals miss out on receiving these supports.
215. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cén uair a dhéanfar íocaíocht faoin scéim GLAS le feirmeoir i gContae na Gaillimhe (sonraí leis seo); cén fáth a bhfuil moill ar an íocaíocht seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [22179/17]
View answerFaomhadh an duine a ainmníodh isteach in GLAS 2 agus bhí an conradh le tosú an 1 Eanáir 2016.
I rith phróiseas seiceála réamhíocaíochta 2016, tháinig saincheist chun solais ar chros-seiceáil ríomhairithe bhunachair shonraí na Roinne. Tá oifigigh na Roinne ag oibriú go gníomhach chun an tsaincheist seo a réiteach d’fhonn breis próiseála a dhéanamh ar an iarratas ar íocaíocht 2016 a luaithe agus is féidir.
The person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of the 1 January 2016.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases. Department officials are actively working to resolve this issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
217. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) cannot enter into GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22220/17]
View answerA GLAS 3 application for the person named was received on the GLAS online system on the 15 December 2016. On the basis of the actions applied for, the application was ranked as a Tier 3 application and therefore must meet the minimum score of 16.5 required for Tier 3 applications to be selected and approved into the scheme. Unfortunately the GLAS 3 application for the person named did not meet this minimum score and therefore has not been selected for approval into the Scheme.
218. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide additional resources to ensure payment of the outstanding 118 GLAS 1 and 2 claims by persons in counties Cavan and Monaghan who are still awaiting 85% of the 2016 payment. [22233/17]
View answerUnder the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place.
The first full year of payments to participants in the first two tranches of the scheme is 2016. To date, nationally, over 92% of these participants have received their 2016 GLAS advance payment and for Cavan and Monaghan over 94% of claims have been paid.
As this Scheme is EU funded my Department must ensure that all payments processed meet all the required regulatory checks. I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department is making every effort to process outstanding payments with payments issuing weekly as cases clear all of the required checks and validations.
219. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a GLAS payment by a person (details supplied). [22248/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases in relation to the Protection of Watercourse from Bovine and Conservation of Solitary Bee actions. Department officials have examined these issues and the application is now being further processed for payment in respect of the 2016 scheme year.
