Written Answers Nos. 158-172
158. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated annual additional cost in each of the next five years of allowing medical card holders in receipt of disability allowance who move into work and potentially off disability allowance, partially or completely, to hold onto their medical cards permanently. [27268/19]
View answerUnder the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. The Act provides that persons who are unable, without due hardship, to arrange GP services for themselves and family can qualify for full eligibility (a medical card). The HSE awards medical cards in accordance with the Health Act, and assesses applicants on the overall financial situation of the applicant and his or her spouse or partner.
It should be noted that people who have been in receipt of certain allowances or benefits (including Illness Benefit, Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance and Blind Pension) for a continuous period of 12 months or more are entitled to keep their medical card (without means testing) for three years on taking up full/part time employment from the date on which the employment commenced.
Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants when re-applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of any difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. In relation to costing the permanent retention of medical cards by persons in receipt of disability allowance who subsequently move into employment, the data required to model this is not readily available and it is therefore not possible to provide an estimate of the cost of the proposal.
159. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of allocating the remainder of the capital expenditure identified as necessary by the HSE to complete the process of decongregation. [27269/19]
View answerDe-congregation is an ongoing programme to provide residential accommodation in the community for residents of institutional congregated settings. The priority to date has been on the purchase of houses in the community and the adaption of these houses to suit the requirements of the new residents. This programme will continue in 2019 and beyond with the added goal of working with local authorities and approved housing bodies to avail of funding under the Government's capital assistance scheme.
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to the de-congregation programme.
160. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of introducing and operating 100 additional nursing home beds. [27270/19]
View answer194. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing home support by 10%. [27344/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 194 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
161. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health if the respite facility regularly used by persons (details supplied) has been deemed as respite accommodation for emergency cases only and is not available as a standard respite facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27285/19]
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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
162. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of practice subsidies for a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27289/19]
View answerAs this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for it to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
163. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the status of planning and progress for the proposed 96-bed ward at University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27291/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
164. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health if the national consent policy regarding refusal of treatment in pregnancy will be revised following the thirty-sixth amendment of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27303/19]
View answerI have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
165. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time permanent medical, nursing and other positions at a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27304/19]
View answer166. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated to a project (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27305/19]
View answer167. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of medical, nursing and other positions delivered by agency staff at a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27306/19]
View answer168. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the future of a project (details supplied); his plans for additional full-time, permanent staff positions in medical, nursing and other areas at the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27307/19]
View answer169. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the number of gay and bisexual men being turned away each week from the Gay Men's Health Service due to a lack of capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27308/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 165 to 169, inclusive, together.
As these are service matters I have referred the Deputy's questions to the HSE for direct reply to him.
170. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will carry out an audit of the allocation of resources, including medical, nursing and other staff, to the various hospital groups nationally to ensure that there is equity on a national basis in accordance with the population and other demands on these hospital groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27311/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
171. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to extend the services in Nenagh, Ennis and St. John's hospitals in order to relieve pressure on University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, County Limerick, which continues to be the hospital with the most patients on trolleys; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27314/19]
View answerAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
172. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the planning and progress of the proposed 60-bed modular unit at University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, County Limerick; his plans to recruit staff for the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27315/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
