Written Answers Nos. 206-213
206. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he has brought forward his proposal to the Government for the draft of the Human Tissue Bill; if not, when will he do so; the length of time after that the formal drafting of the Bill will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39510/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra207. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the Human Tissue Bill will introduce the opt-out organ donation system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39511/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out a public consultation process on the opt-out organ donation system; if so, the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39513/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 206, 207 and 209 together.
The Heads of a Human Tissue Bill that will meet the key recommendation of the Madden Report on Post Mortem Practice and Procedures that no hospital post-mortem may be carried out and no tissue retained without consent/authorisation are at an advanced stage of preparation and I expect to bring these to Government by the end of the year. The Deputy will also be aware that the Programme for Government envisages the introduction of an opt-out system of organ donation, with a view to improving the availability of organs for patients in need of transplantation. This will of course require detailed consideration and further consultation and my Department is examining how best to undertake this and the timeframe involved.
208. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that all of the processes and procedures have been put in place by him and the Health Service Executive to comply with the EU Directive 2010/53/EU which came into effect on 27 August; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39512/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Directive 2012/53/EU was transposed by the European Union (Quality and Safety of Human Organs Intended for Transplantation) Regulations, S.I. No. 325 of 2012, which I signed into Irish law on 27 August. The Irish Medicines Board is the competent authority under the Regulations and it must authorise donation and transplantation in accordance with the requirements of the Regulations. The Regulations apply to donation, procurement, testing, characterisation, transport and transplantation of organs. They set out a clear legal framework for the application of quality and safety standards for human organs intended for transplantation.
My Department is working with the HSE and the IMB to ensure that hospitals meet the requirements in the Regulations. The HSE's National Organ Donation and Transplantation Office is overseeing the development of guidance documents, which will set out the appropriate processes and procedures to comply with quality and safety standards for all aspects of donation and transplantation. It is also assisting hospitals through its National Transplant Advisory Group, to comply with the Regulations. I am confident that hospitals will meet the requirements of the Regulations, when they are inspected by the IMB. Compliance with the Regulations will assure both donors and organ recipients that the organ donation and transplantation system is operating in accordance with the best possible standards of quality and safety.
210. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health the conditions that a person needs to satisfy to qualify for a discretionary medical card; if a person with Fibromyalgia whose income is in excess of the standard income guidelines could qualify in view of difficult personal circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39532/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedical cards are granted by the HSE on the basis of means and individual circumstances and all persons seeking a medical card must be assessed under the undue hardship principle. Medical cards are not awarded to any particular group of patients on the basis of a specific medical condition. However, the HSE may look beyond the applicants financial situation and have regard to other matters they consider appropriate in assessing a persons circumstances for a medical card. This can address an individuals circumstances including an illness or medical circumstances which result in financial hardship. At the request of Minister Reilly, the HSE has set up a clinical panel to assist in the processing of applications for discretionary medical cards where there are difficult personal circumstances.
211. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be provided with an early appointment date for an assessment of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39539/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
212. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the situation at St Brigid's Hospital, Crooks Lane, Brittas, County Dublin; if he will give assurances to the community in respect of the future of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39541/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
213. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding transport to hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39544/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
