Written Answers Nos. 624-645
624. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations were carried out in 2017; the number of these patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24466/18]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
625. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients treated for foot ulcerations which do not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2017, by county; the number of those patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24467/18]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
626. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of patients under 65 years of age treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in 2017, by county; the number of these patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24468/18]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
627. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of full and partial lower limb amputations that were carried out in 2017, by county on persons under 65 years of age; the number of these patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24469/18]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
628. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days required by patients treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number of those patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24470/18]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
629. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each of the years 2015 to 2017; the number of those patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24471/18]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
630. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients undergoing full and partial lower limb amputation procedures in each the years 2015 to 2017, by county on persons under 65 years of age in tabular form; the number of these patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24472/18]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
631. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital bed days required by patients on persons under 65 years of age by county treated for foot ulcerations which did not require a full or partial limb amputation in each the years 2015 to 2017; the number of these patients with diabetes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24473/18]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
632. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on the discrepancy between the evidence provided by CervicalCheck and the records of the State Claims Agency in regard to women being informed of the results of the CervicalCheck audit; if CervicalCheck had accepted or denied the alleged confirmation provided to the State Claims Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24475/18]
View answerI understand that both parties have been invited to appear before the Public Accounts Committee this week which will provide an opportunity to address these issues.
633. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if Health Service Executive services will be made available to a person (details supplied); if measures will be taken to reduce the waiting lists for the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24478/18]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
634. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if Health Service Executive services will be made available to a person (details supplied); if measures will be taken to reduce the waiting list for the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24479/18]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
635. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if Health Service Executive services will be made available to a person (details supplied); if measures will be taken to reduce waiting lists for the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24480/18]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
636. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if Health Service Executive services will be made available to a person (details supplied); if measures can be taken to reduce the waiting list for the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24481/18]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
637. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if Health Service Executive services will be made available to a person (details supplied); if measures can be taken to reduce the waiting lists for the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24482/18]
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 (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
638. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if the Health Service Executive will provide a home care package for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24483/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
639. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the progress of implementation of recommendations of the eye services review group report; his views on whether the review group's recommendations will be in place within the outlined timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24493/18]
View answerThe HSE published the Report of the Primary Care Eye Services Review Group in June 2017. The overall aim of the Review is to reorganise primary care eye services with an increased emphasis on maximising delivery of a comprehensive service at primary care level, thereby also releasing capacity in the acute sector to provide more complex services. This reflects Government policy, which aims to maximise the proportion of people's healthcare needs met in the community.
To support the implementation of the Report, funding of €1m was allocated in 2018 to establish primary care eye teams in South and West Dublin and to further develop the primary care eye team in North Dublin to help alleviate waiting lists. Further steps towards implementation of the recommendations in the Report will be considered in the context of the Health budget for 2019 and future years.
640. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of the 144 additional posts needed to transfer outpatient department eye services to primary care as recommended by the eye services review group report that have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24494/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
641. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the number and location of paediatric vascular surgeons here; the number of operations carried out by location from January 2017 to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24498/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
642. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if a new dental scheme will be agreed with an association (details supplied) which will examine prioritising prevention for medical card patients and affording them access to the same standard of care as dentists provide to private patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24499/18]
View answerThe national approach to future oral health service provision will be informed by the National Oral Health Policy, which is currently being finalised and which I expect will be published later this year.
The aim of the policy is to develop a model of care that will enable preventative approaches to be prioritised, improve access, and support interventions appropriate to current and future oral health needs.
It is my intention to progress the development of appropriate contractual proposals on the part of my Department and the HSE once the oral health policy has been published. This will be a necessary precursor to a process of engagement with the Irish Dental Association on the future delivery of oral health services.
643. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a new scheme to replace the motorised transport grant and mobility allowance schemes will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24500/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013. Since the closure of the Mobility Allowance, the Government has directed that the Health Service Executive should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment of up to €208.50 per month to the 4,046 people in receipt of the Mobility Allowance, on an interim basis, pending the establishment of a new Transport Support Scheme.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme to assist those with a disability to meet their mobility costs. The Health (Transport Support) Bill is on the list of priority legislation for publication in the Spring/Summer session 2018. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
My colleague, the Minister for Health and I recently brought a Memorandum to Government for proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the Memorandum from the cabinet Agenda on 8 May last. I intend to revert to Government with revised proposals to reflect the discussion at Cabinet, in due course.
With regard to the Motorised Transport Grant, this scheme operated as a means-tested grant to assist persons with severe disabilities with the purchase or adaptation of a car, where that car was essential to retain employment. The maximum Motorised Transport Grant, which was payable once in any three year period, was €5,020. Following the closure of the scheme in February 2013, no further Motorised Transport Grants have been payable.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular scheme.
There are improvements in access to a range of transport support schemes available to persons with disabilities in the State and on-going work is being carried out by Government Departments, agencies and transport providers to further improve access to public transport services. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with a disability.
644. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the percentage of the population with discretionary medical cards; the number of discretionary medical cards which this percentage relates to based on the current population by month to date in 2018. [24503/18]
View answerIn reply to the Deputy's question please see the following table outlining the number of discretionary medical cards, and the percentage of the population covered by these cards, by month for 2018.
|
2018 |
No. of Discretionary Cards |
% of population |
|
May |
137,313 |
2.87% |
|
April |
135,728 |
2.83% |
|
March |
134,437 |
2.81% |
|
February |
133,211 |
2.78% |
|
January |
131,160 |
2.74% |
645. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of discretionary medical cards awarded, renewed, expiring and in existence, respectively at any one time in the year by community healthcare organisation in tabular form. [24504/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
