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Thursday, 20 Sep 2012

Written Answers Nos. 254-265

Infectious Diseases Incidence

Ceisteanna (254)

Jerry Buttimer

Ceist:

254. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if, in the context of developing a National Rare Disease Plan and the EU Directive on patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare, if there has been any contact between his Department and authorities in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39914/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I established a National Steering Group to develop a policy framework for the prevention, detection and treatment of rare diseases based on the principles of high quality care, equity and to be patient centred. The policy will operate over a 5 year period, take account of the EU Council Recommendation on Rare Diseases (2009) and define priority actions subject to resource availability. Similar plans are being drafted by individual countries across the EU, including in the UK. While no substantive contact has taken place in this context there has been some general discussion between my Department and officials in Northern Ireland on the progress of the rare disease strategies.

In relation to the Directive on the application of patients' rights in cross border healthcare, there has also been some preliminary contact between the North’s Department of Health and my Department.

Disabled Drivers Grants

Ceisteanna (255)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

255. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health if he will consider a request made in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39917/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Revenue Commissioners operate a Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Tax Concessions Scheme, whereby a family member of a disabled passenger can qualify for tax relief linked to the purchase of vehicles, provided he/she is living with and is responsible for the transport of the disabled person in question, has acquired the vehicle for that purpose and the disabled passenger is the holder of a Primary Medical Certificate. Applications for Primary Medical Certificates are processed by the Health Service Executive (HSE), through local health offices.

National Lottery Funding Applications

Ceisteanna (256)

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

256. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a national lottery grant in respect of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39919/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has received an application for funding from the 2012 National Lottery allocation from the organisation in question. This is one of a large number currently being assessed by my Department, and the Deputy will be informed of the outcome of the application as soon as a decision has been made.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (257)

Patrick Nulty

Ceist:

257. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the renewal of a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39935/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Administration

Ceisteanna (258)

Sandra McLellan

Ceist:

258. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork to see an orthopaedic doctor at Cork Mercy Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39938/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (259)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

259. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [39941/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

No decisions have been taken in respect of medical card legislation criteria for 2013.

Question No. 260 answered with Question No. 209.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (261)

Arthur Spring

Ceist:

261. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be recalled for a surgical procedure to Kerry General Hospital. [39948/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Disabled Drivers Grant Eligibility

Ceisteanna (262)

Dan Neville

Ceist:

262. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if there is any assistance provided for a partially disabled driver who is looking for funding for private driving lessons. [39680/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There is no funding available in my Department to subsidise fees for driving lessons for any category of drivers. There are tax reliefs available on the purchase and use of vehicles for drivers with disabilities, as well as a grant scheme available through the Health Service Executive (HSE) to assist drivers with disabilities with the cost of an adapted vehicle in cases where they need the vehicle to obtain or retain employment.  The Deputy may wish to advise the individual in question to speak to the Revenue Commissioners and the HSE about these schemes and any other financial assistance that might be available in such circumstances.

Sports Capital Programme Applications

Ceisteanna (263)

Seán Kenny

Ceist:

263. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if the sports capital grant application (details supplied) has been received and qualifies under the criteria; and when a decision will issue. [39852/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application under the Sports Capital Programme has been received from the organisation referred to by the Deputy .  All applicants should be aware that the Department will not provide any information on individual applications submitted until all grants have been provisionally allocated and announced. I expect to be in a position to announce the successful applicants later this year.

Appointments to State Boards

Ceisteanna (264)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

264. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport the number of Government board appointees currently appointed to the board of Aer Lingus; if he will detail the duties of the Government appointed directors; and the mandate with which they have been provided. [39871/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The State’s shareholding of 25.11% of ordinary share capital in Aer Lingus entitles the Minister, acting through the Minister for Finance in his capacity as shareholder, to nominate up to three persons as “Minister’s Nominees” on the Board of the Company. There are two directors currently serving as Minister's Nominees - Mr Francis Hackett and Dr Colin Hunt.

The duties of these directors derive from the Companies Acts and the directors are obliged to pursue the best interests of the company.  Subject to that duty, upon appointment the two directors were requested to seek to ensure that all decisions of the company that have significant implications for wider Government, aviation or regional development policies are considered at Board level.  In any such decisions they are directed to seek to reconcile commercial and public policy objectives.

Free Travel Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (265)

Catherine Byrne

Ceist:

265. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport if there is any programme in place to provide discounted public transport for pensioners visiting Ireland, particularly Irish citizens living in Great Britain who are in receipt of an Irish State pension; if not, if such a programme is planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39900/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The matter is primarily an operational one for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance working in conjunction with the  tourism agencies.  I have referred the Deputy's question to Iarnród Eireann, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for direct reply.  She should inform my private office if she does not receive a reply within ten working days.

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