Bernard Durkan
Question:833. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34431/17]
View answerMedical Card Applications
Questions (833)
Written 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 was issued to Oireachtas members.
Nursing Home Services
Questions (834)
Bernard Durkan
Question:834. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the excellent service being provided by the staff at a nursing home (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34432/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
Medical Card Applications
Questions (835)
Bernard Durkan
Question:835. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if the status of an application for a full medical card can be re-examined in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34438/17]
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 was issued to Oireachtas members.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (836)
Bernard Durkan
Question:836. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when surgery will be offered to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34439/17]
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.
HSE Properties
Questions (837)
Bernard Durkan
Question:837. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if all issues relating to the title of St. Brigid's Hospice, Crooksling, have been resolved without cost or loss of any aspect of title; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34442/17]
View answerWritten answers
Your question has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply as the management of the healthcare property estate is a service matter.
Medicinal Products
Questions (838)
Bernard Durkan
Question:838. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if medicines for Ireland are likely to be included in the discussions to reduce the cost of medicines with particular reference to innovative medicines and or generic medicines; if legislation changes are contemplated in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34443/17]
View answerWritten answers
The rising cost of medicines is a key issue for public health systems everywhere. I welcome the work of industry groups who identify difficulties and seek ways to resolve them. I have asked my Department to review the Medicines for Ireland policy manifesto.
Patient Transfers
Questions (839)
Seán Fleming
Question:839. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when a person will be transferred to the rehabilitation centre in Dún Laoghaire (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34456/17]
View answerWritten answers
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.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (840)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:840. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a cataract operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34459/17]
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.
Primary Care Services Provision
Questions (841)
Pat Buckley
Question:841. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated to primary care counselling services in 2016 and 2017, respectively; and the amount of this budget which was spent for each service. [34460/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
National Office for Suicide Prevention
Questions (842)
Pat Buckley
Question:842. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the amount allocated to the National Office for Suicide Prevention in 2016 and 2017, respectively; and the amount of this budget which was spent, reallocated or returned. [34461/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
National Office for Suicide Prevention
Questions (843)
Pat Buckley
Question:843. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies which currently exist in the National Office for Suicide Prevention; and the time these positions have been vacant. [34462/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Primary Care Services Provision
Questions (844)
Pat Buckley
Question:844. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies which currently exist in primary care counselling and other primary care mental health services; and the time these positions have been vacant. [34463/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Nursing Staff Data
Questions (845)
Pat Buckley
Question:845. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the number of SCAN nurses operating across the State; the catchment area of each and the yearly cost of this position and the service. [34464/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
Mental Health Services Provision
Questions (846)
Pat Buckley
Question:846. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans for further expansion of Jigsaw services; his views on the number of services needed; and the areas that are to be prioritised. [34466/17]
View answerWritten answers
The HSE and Jigsaw recently finalised a 2017 Service Agreement which will consolidate the existing 13 Jigsaw sites across the country.
The HSE Mental Health Division is progressing a detailed evaluation of the existing Jigsaw services to provide a clearer evidence base to support the model, and to help inform further decisions regarding possible expansion of services. The process to initiate the review is expected to commence shortly.
The HSE and I are aware of various proposals to expand Jigsaw services, either arising from discussions with Jigsaw or from local groups seeking such expansion. The potential for further expansion can only be considered in the context of the HSE review, and in light of agreeing health service priorities overall for 2018, or beyond.
Mental Health Services Funding
Questions (847)
Pat Buckley
Question:847. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the mental health services receiving funding from the State; and the amount they were allocated in 2016 and 2017, respectively. [34467/17]
View answerWritten answers
The overall gross non-capital mental health budget for 2017 is €853.1 million, and the Mental Health Budget for 2016 was €826.6 million.
Budget 2017 made allowance for an additional €35 million for services to be initiated in 2017. Recognising the time lag in new staff taking up posts and the completion of preparations for the introduction of these services, it is estimated that the revenue spend in 2017 associated with this increased allocation will be some €15 million. There will also be a further additional spend of €9.5 million in mental health associated with increased pay rates, bringing the total budget to over €850 million.
With regard to a more detailed breakdown of HSE mental health service funding for the years in question, I have referred this to the HSE for direct reply as this is an operational matter.
Nursing Staff Remuneration
Questions (848)
Pat Buckley
Question:848. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the average yearly salary of a psychiatric nurse in the HSE that is not a manager or has any other specialisation. [34468/17]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
HSE Expenditure
Questions (849)
Pat Buckley
Question:849. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the amount the HSE and State spent in the past five years, respectively, including 2017, on branded medications for psychiatric treatment; and the potential for savings from switching to generic products. [34469/17]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.