Written Answers Nos. 214-221
214. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the decision to remove the cholesterol treatment drug Omacor from the general medical services list of approved drugs for medical card holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39551/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe product in question has been identified both nationally and internationally as not being cost effective or being of lesser benefit to patients. In the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens.
215. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be provided with necessary assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39561/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
216. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the protocol in relation to a second independent consultant psychiatrists opinion being required when it relates to a tribunal to determine a patient's freedom, with particular reference to the fees charged for such an opinion, in relation to the signing of forms and claims for travel expenses even though the assessment may have occurred while the psychiatrist was on duty in another hospital; and if he can confirm that a fee of more than €1,000 would be normal for such assessments. [39616/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mental Health Commission establishes a panel of independent consultant psychiatrists for the purpose of giving second opinions in relation to the detention of patients as to whether such patients are suffering from a mental disorder. Under Section 17 of the Mental Health Act 2001 the Mental Health Commission requires such consultant psychiatrists to:
a) examine the patient;
b) interview the consultant psychiatrist responsible for the care and treatment of the patient;
c) review the records relating to the patient, and
d) report in writing on the results of the examination, interview and review to the tribunal.
Consultant Psychiatrists are selected for the panel established by the Mental Health Commission through an open competition. The last recruitment process, which was conducted in 2010 by the Public Appointments Service, involved an on-line application followed by an interview. The fee payable where all this work is completed and the matter proceeds to tribunal is €492. Where the matter does not proceed to tribunal and only part of the process is completed, a fee of €147 is payable in respect of the examination of the patient, €147 in respect of the interview with the treating consultant and €99 in respect of the review of records relating to the patient.
All the above fees are exclusive of travel and subsistence which can be claimed by the consultant at public sector rates applicable in respect of such expenses incurred.
218. Deputy Ray Butler asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in tabular format the annual salary costs for private and constituency offices of Ministers in his Department in each of the years 2009 and 2010; the same figures for any Ministers of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39644/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out below in tabular format. The information is provided in respect of the gross annual salary (point on salary scale) of individuals employed in the Ministers offices at 31 December 2009 and 31 December 2010. This figure is exclusive of employers PRSI, employers superannuation contributions or any payments in respect of overtime.
2009
|
Minister |
Private Office WTE |
Gross Annual Salary |
Constituency Office WTE |
Gross Annual Salary |
|
Minister for Health and Children (Mary Harney TD) |
8 |
€369,019 |
2 |
€98,952 |
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs (Barry Andrews TD) |
5.6* |
€241,311 |
3 |
€127,816 |
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Issues and Mental Health (John Moloney TD) |
3.8 |
€152,351 |
3 |
€137,182 |
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Older People and Health Promotion (Aine Brady TD) wef 22/04/09) |
3 |
€150,006 |
4 |
€169,077 |
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Older People (Maire Hoctor TD) left office on 21 April 2009 |
4.5 |
€208,803 |
4 |
€172,715 |
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Health Promotion and food (Mary Wallace TD) left office on 21 April 2009 |
6 |
€271,145 |
5 |
€171,558 |
2010
|
Minister |
Private Office WTE |
Gross Annual Salary |
Constituency Office WTE |
Gross Annual Salary |
|
Minister for Health and Children (Mary Harney TD) |
8 |
€358,129 |
2 |
€93,031 |
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Children and Youth Affairs (Barry Andrews TD) |
4.8 |
€180,607 |
3 |
€124,172 |
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Issues and Mental Health (John Moloney TD) |
2.8 |
€114,612 |
3 |
€130,410 |
|
Minister of State with responsibility for Older People and Health Promotion (Aine Brady TD) |
3 |
€146,732 |
4 |
€128,426 |
Notes.
*Minister Andrews Private Office includes 1 additional WTE providing cover for maternity leave in 2009.
Minister Andrews Office includes 1 WTE on loan from Department of Education and Science and Minister Moloney's Office includes 1 WTE on loan from Department of Education and Science in 2009. Salary figures have not been included for these individuals as they were paid by their parent Department.
Details for Special Advisors and Civilian Drivers have not been included as they are not part of the private office or constituency office staff.
219. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when the promised provision of free GP care to long-term illness patients will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39654/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to reforming the current public health system by introducing Universal Health Insurance with equal access to care for all. As part of this, the Government is committed to introducing, on a phased basis, GP care without fees within its first term of office. Primary legislation is required to give effect to Government commitment to introduce a universal GP service without fees. Legislation to allow the Minister for Health to make regulations to extend access to GP services without fees to persons with prescribed illnesses is currently being drafted by this Department and the Office of the Attorney General and will be published shortly. Implementation dates and application details will be announced in due course.
220. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the date on which he approved the €130 million further cuts to the 2012 health budget, including the proposed cuts to personal assistance services for the disabled, the home care cuts and the home help cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39655/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe financial situation in the HSE continues to be extremely challenging. In the short term, to address the 2012 position, a range of measures are being undertaken in order to achieve a balanced budget. These include the use of capital to fund revenue on a once-off basis and the transfer of Department funds to the HSE on a once-off basis. The HSE has been required to review all pay and non-pay savings targets with a view to further targeting all areas which do not compromise patient safety.
The HSE has indicated that it will achieve €130m in savings to address the deficit. Nearly 50% will come from more focused cash and stock management initiatives, savings in medical equipment (non-capital), furniture, education, training, office expenses, travel and subsistence and advertising. €6m of savings will come from the non-reimbursement of certain non-essential products. €60.5m of savings will come from specific service-related measures. These measures are now the subject of intensive discussions with the HSE and local stakeholders. I have instructed the Executive that efficiencies must be achieved in the first instance before patient services are affected and in this regard, patient safety must be paramount.
221. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will reverse the decision to cease the provision of gluten-free products on prescription for medical card patients with coeliac disease; and if he will provide equivalent alternative supports or measures for coeliac patients, in view of the excessive cost of gluten-free products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39656/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the current financial environment the Health Service Executive (HSE) is facing a challenge to deliver services in a way that will minimise any adverse impact on patients and continue to protect, as far as possible, the most vulnerable citizens. Unfortunately, it has become necessary for the HSE to suspend certain products from its list of reimbursable items. This includes gluten-free products.
Gluten-free products have become more widely available in supermarkets in recent years and tend to be significantly cheaper than products sold through community pharmacies. A Supplementary Welfare Allowance Adult Diet Supplement may be awarded by the Department of Social Protection to eligible persons. Persons wishing to apply for this allowance can do so by completing an application form which can be downloaded at the following link: http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Forms/Documents/swa9.pdf. Separate application forms are available for children. For persons who are not awarded a Diet Supplement, monies spent on gluten-free foods can be taken into account for tax purposes.
